MUMBAI: Maharashtra is on the brink of a new chapter in its political history, with Devendra Fadnavis set to take the oath as chief minister on December 5, 2024. His ascension to the top post follows a landslide victory by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), also known as the Mahayuti.
Sources close to the party have confirmed that Fadnavis’s name has been finalised as the next Chief Minister, a move that solidifies his central role in the state’s governance. Eknath Shinde, the outgoing and Caretaker Chief Minister, was also a strong contender for the position, but Fadnavis emerged as the consensus choice.
The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition won an impressive 230 of the 288 seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, ensuring a clear mandate. The BJP itself secured 132 seats, while its allies, the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), won 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
This overwhelming victory sets the stage for Fadnavis to take over, bringing a fresh wave of political stability after the tumultuous phases of governance under the previous administration.
Fadnavis’s likely election as legislature party leader : Fadnavis’s election as the legislature party leader is anticipated to take place in an important party meeting on December 3, 2024. This will officially formalise his path to becoming the new chief minister of Maharashtra. The BJP’s decision to choose Fadnavis as the face of the new government is seen as a strategic move to capitalise on his experience and leadership. The finalisation of his name comes more than a week after the state elections concluded.
While Fadnavis’s election is widely expected, there remains some speculation about the political maneuvering behind the scenes, particularly concerning the allocation of key portfolios in the new government. The swearing-in ceremony for the new Mahayuti government will be held on the evening of December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to attend the event.