Devendra Fadnavis has been unanimously elected as the leader of the Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party, clearing the path for his swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on December 5. His selection was finalized in a BJP core committee meeting held today.
The question of whether Devendra Fadnavis would return as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister or if Eknath Shinde would continue in the role has been circulating for days. With Fadnavis’s unanimous election as the BJP’s legislative leader, it is now confirmed that he will be sworn in tomorrow, December 5.
Updates from Dec 4, 2024:
- 9:22 PM: Shiv Sena MLAs spent the day trying to convince Eknath Shinde to accept the position of Deputy CM. They have been meeting with him for the past two days at his official residence, ‘Varsha’.
- 8:17 PM: Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan congratulated Devendra Fadnavis on his upcoming appointment, calling it a step towards further progress and prosperity for Maharashtra.
- 7:52 PM: A special session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is scheduled for December 7. Newly elected MLAs will take their oaths, and a speaker will be elected.
- 6:54 PM: In the invites for the swearing-in ceremony, Fadnavis added a new middle name, Sarita Gandadharrao, in honor of his mother.
- 6:43 PM: Fadnavis met Eknath Shinde at ‘Varsha’, signaling the final stages of the transition.
- 6:15 PM: Sources confirm that Eknath Shinde will be sworn in as Deputy CM alongside Ajit Pawar on December 5.
- 5:50 PM: Fadnavis, known for his strategic use of social media, continues to be the most-followed politician from Maharashtra.
- 5:32 PM: BJP leader CT Ravi expressed confidence in Fadnavis’s leadership, praising his ability to strengthen Maharashtra.
- 5:32 PM: Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande emphasized that the new government will be shaped by the public’s expectations.
- 5:50 PM: Fadnavis received the support of smaller parties and independent MLAs, further solidifying his position.
- 4:16 PM: Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar shared a light-hearted moment after staking the claim for the Mahayuti government.
- 4:03 PM: Governor CP Radhakrishnan confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony is set for 5:30 PM on December 5, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending.
- 3:57 PM: Ajit Pawar expressed his commitment to delivering the best governance for the state.
- 3:52 PM: Ashish Shelar, newly elected BJP Chief Whip, called today “like Diwali” for the party.
- 3:46 PM: Fadnavis thanked Eknath Shinde for recommending him as the Chief Minister, a gesture signaling unity within the ruling coalition.
- 3:42 PM: Devendra Fadnavis expressed hope that Eknath Shinde would join his cabinet.
- 3:32 PM: After staking the claim to form the new government, Fadnavis confirmed his swearing-in on December 5.
- 2:45 PM: BJP central observer Vijay Rupani confirmed the swearing-in of the CM and two Deputy CMs on December 5.
- 2:39 PM: Nirmala Sitharaman accused the previous Congress-led government of stalling key infrastructure projects in Maharashtra, including the bullet train and metro car shed.
- 2:22 PM: Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant clarified that only the Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers would be sworn in on December 5.
- 1:59 PM: Ashish Shelar highlighted the BJP’s historic mandate, with Shiv Sena and NCP also increasing their seats under Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar’s leadership.
- 1:23 PM: Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged that some decisions in the coming days might go against their wishes but reiterated the commitment to the greater good of the state.
- 12:54 PM: Supporters were seen celebrating outside Devendra Fadnavis’s residence as news broke of his unanimous election as the BJP legislative leader.
This significant political development marks a pivotal moment in Maharashtra’s political landscape as Fadnavis prepares to assume office once again.