Maharashtra oath taking ceremony LIVE: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis to be sworn in as Chief Minister.
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time, after Mahayuti’s landslide victory in the Assembly Elections 2024. Mahayuti, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance, includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Of the 288 seats, Mahayuti secured 230 seats – with BJP winning 132, Shiv Sena in 57 and NCP in 41 seats.
The swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for 5:30 pm Thursday, will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of religious and political leaders.
Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar will be seen as Deputy Chief Ministers.
Maharashtra CM Live Updates: “Shinde Era Is Over” Says Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut claimed that Shinde was “used” by the Bharatiya Janata Party and now “has been tossed aside.” In an interview with news agency ANI, he said, “Shinde era is over, it was just for two years. His usage is now over and he has been tossed aside. Shinde will never be the CM of this state again. They (BJP) can even break Shinde’s party, this has always been BJP’s line in politics. They break and finish the party of those who work with them.”
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant arrives in Mumbai to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Maharashtra Chief Minister-designate Devendra Fadnavis.
Beaming with happiness and pride, he says, “I extend my greeting to Devendra Fadnavis. I feel proud today that NDA government is in power once again in Maharashtra. He has been elected as the CM of Maharashtra for the third time. Best wishes to him. Maharashtra will progress with twice the speed…”
#WATCH | Goa CM Pramod Sawant arrives in Mumbai to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Maharashtra CM-designate Devendra Fadnavis.
He says, “I extend my greeting to Devendra Fadnavis. I feel proud today that NDA Govt is in power once again in Maharashtra. He has been elected as… pic.twitter.com/JvzThjTcwN
– ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2024
A cow has been brought to the residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister-designate Devendra Fadnavis for ‘Gau Pujan’, ahead of his swearing-in ceremony today.
#WATCH | Mumbai: A cow has been brought to the residence of Maharashtra CM-designate Devendra Fadnavis for ‘Gau Pujan’, ahead of his swearing-in ceremony today. pic.twitter.com/gTyQeeH2z1
– ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2024
The Azad Maidan of today was once part of the larger Esplanade Maidan, a benevolent open space in the ‘Maximum City’ that served as a playground and recreational centre.
Over the years, however, demands of expansion and urbanisation consumed stretches; roads were built, shops opened, and, according to historians, the larger ground was divided into four, one of which was Azad Maidan.
Devendra Fadnavis’ Chief Minister Oath Adds To Mumbai’s Azad Maidan HistoryA new role awaits Mumbai’s iconic Azad Maidan Thursday evening – a decades-old silent witness to the city’s turbulent political and socio-cultural history – for, at 5.30 pm, Devendra Fadnavis will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
This will be the first time the Azad Maidan hosts a Chief Minister’s oath-taking ceremony, its popularity and location lending additional heft to Mr Fadnavis’ return to the state’s top job.
Of the 288 seats, Mahayuti secured 230 seats – with BJP winning 132, Shiv Sena in 57 and NCP in 41 seats. No party in the Maha Vikas Aghadi or MVA – Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP) – are eligible for the post of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the newly elected Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. A party with 10 percent of the 288 seats or 29 seats can claim the post. However, all of the MVA parties have failed short of the mark, as per the legislative rules.
There is speculation that two Deputies will take oath alongside Devendra Fadnavis – Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar spent much of his political career in the shadow of his uncle Sharad Pawar, a political heavyweight. In the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly Elections, where the Mahayuti alliance secured a thumping majority, Ajit Pawar’s NCP won 41 seats, proving that the decision to break away from his uncle was a well-calculated move.
Eknath Shinde, who bowed out of the race for Maharashtra’s Chief Minister post last week and has been keeping a low profile since, will join the Devendra Fadnavis government as his Deputy, sources have told NDTV.
“Yesterday I requested Eknath Shinde to remain in the cabinet… which I hope he would… The Chief Minister post is just a technical agreement between us… we have been together to take decisions and will continue to do so,” Devendra Fadnavis said, expressing “special thanks” to his predecessor in the top post.
Ahead of oath taking ceremony today, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya congratulates Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar for their victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Devendra Fadnavis will take oath as the Maharashtra CM today
UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya says, “I congratulate Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar for their victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh share a… pic.twitter.com/AiDdRT3pAx
– ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2024
Maharashtra Chief Minister-designate Devendra Fadnavis visits Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, seeks blessings, ahead of his swearing-in ceremony later today.
#WATCH | Maharashtra CM-designate Devendra Fadnvais offered prayers at Shree Siddhivinayak Temple today, ahead of his swearing-in ceremony.
(Video: Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Trust) pic.twitter.com/cPYbcKl4tp
– ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2024
Ahead of the Maharashtra Chief Minister oath-taking ceremony, scheduled for 5:30 pm today, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Traffic, Mumbai issued a traffic advisory for the public to avoid any obstruction and delays.
Since there is no parking at Azad Maidan Ground, where the oath-taking ceremony will take place, people are requested to use public transport arrangement.
- Mahapalika Marg: From CSMT Junction to Vasudev Balawant Pliadake Chowk (Metro Junction).
- Mahatma Gandhi Marg: From Chafekar Bandhu Chowk (OCS Junction) to Vasudev Balawant Phadake Chowk (Metro Junction)
- Haiarimal Somani Marg: Chafekar Bandhu Chowk (OCS Junction) to CSMT Junction.
- Meehdoot Bridge {Princess street bridgel [south bound]: From N S Road & costal road towards Shyanialdas Gandhi Junction.
- Rambhau Salgaonkar Road (One Way): Strech of Rambhau Salgaonkar Road from Indu Clinic Junction (Sayyed Jamadar Chowk) to Volga Chowk shall be open for both way vehicular traffic from 12 pm to 8 pm.
#WATCH | Devendra Fadnavis will take oath as the Maharashtra CM today |
In Delhi, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari says, ” It is a proud day in Maharashtra today. Devendra Fadnavis will take oath and 2 deputy CMs will also be taking oath…this shows the victory of development…. pic.twitter.com/jITNGahHxG
– ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2024
“For the next 5 years, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde will give a progressive, developing government for Maharashtra,” said BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla ahead of Maharashtra Chief Minister oath taking ceremony.
#WATCH | Devendra Fadnavis will take oath as the Maharashtra CM today |
In Delhi, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, ” NDA, under the leadership of PM Modi, today Devendra Fadnavis’s govt will take the oath. For the next 5 years, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar and… pic.twitter.com/m7YbPHUPqG
– ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2024
Raksha Khadse, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, arrives in Mumbai for the swearing-in ceremony of Maharashtra Chief Minister-designate Devendra Fadnavis.
“This is a big day for our workers as well as the people of Maharashtra because Mahayuti Government has come to power in the state. Devendra Fadnavis is going to become the CM today. So, I feel there is great enthusiasm among people and workers today…I too have been very excited for the last 4-5 days because this is our home state…”, she said.
#WATCH | Union MoS Raksha Khadse arrives in Mumbai for the swearing-in ceremony of Maharashtra CM-designate Devendra Fadnavis.
She says, “This is a big day for our workers as well as the people of Maharashtra because Mahayuti Government has come to power in the state. Devendra… pic.twitter.com/Bb8HSCVayz
– ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2024
Devendra Fadnavis’ Name Surprise On Maharashtra Oath Ceremony Invite
The invite, issued by Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, names the Chief Minister pick as “Devendra Sarita Gangadharrao Fadnavis”. While Sarita is Devendra Fadnavis’ mother’s name, Gangadhar is his father’s. While it is customary for Maharashtra residents to use their father’s name as their middle name, this is arguably the first time Mr Fadnavis has used his mother’s name for an official purpose.
Devendra Fadnavis will take oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan today, at 5:30 pm.
The Maharashtra oath ceremony is expected to draw an audience of 42,000, with seating arrangements for 2,000 VIPs, including religious leaders and political leaders.
How Devendra Fadnavis Accepting No.2 Rule Cleared His Way To The TopWhen the BJP-led Mahayuti suffered a big setback in the Lok Sabha election this year, few would have imagined how much the picture would change months later. The 2024 state polls saw the BJP post its best-ever score in Maharashtra, winning 132 out of 148 seats it contested. The Mahayuti’s tally reached 230 in the 288-member Assembly.
But government formation is always a tall task when multiple allies are involved. Eknath Shinde’s Sena wanted to keep the Chief Minister post and argued that the election was won under his leadership. But the BJP put its foot down and the legislators rallied behind Devendra Fadnavis, citing how he took a backseat in 2022 and the need to reward him for leading the party to the mammoth mandate. Mr Fadnavis had once said he is a “modern Abhimanyu” who knows how to break the Chakravyuh. His Chakravyuh demanded patience, loyalty and sacrifice. He delivered all three, and came out stronger.
