Mumbai (Maharashtra): Superstar Shah Rukh Khan added star power to the Maharashtra government oath-taking ceremony held at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on Thursday. The event marked the swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar assuming their roles as Deputy Chief Ministers under the BJP-led Mahayuti government.
Shah Rukh Khan, dressed impeccably in formal attire, was seen sitting alongside legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and engaging warmly with attendees. The actor also shared a heartfelt moment with Ranveer Singh, greeting him with a warm hug.
Political Leaders and Star-Studded Guests
The grand ceremony witnessed the presence of high-profile leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Chief Ministers from several states, such as Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Nitish Kumar (Bihar), Pramod Sawant (Goa), and Bhupendra Patel (Gujarat), were also in attendance.
Adding glamour to the political event were Bollywood icons Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and Ranveer Singh, alongside Shah Rukh Khan. Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar further elevated the evening’s prestige.
Maharashtra’s New Leadership
The ceremony marked a significant political development as Devendra Fadnavis returned as Chief Minister, a role he previously held from 2014 to 2019. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took their oaths as Deputy Chief Ministers under the new BJP-led Mahayuti alliance government. The oath was administered by Governor CP Radhakrishnan.
This political shift follows the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, securing 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena (57) and NCP (41) also made significant gains.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback, with Congress winning only 16 seats and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (UBT) securing 10 and 20 seats, respectively.
A Blend of Politics and Entertainment
The oath ceremony underscored the fusion of India’s political and cultural realms, with stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan mingling with the country’s top leaders. Their presence not only added glamour but also highlighted the event’s broad appeal and significance in Indian society.