Mumbai (Maharashtra): Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed satisfaction over the achievements of the Mahayuti government during its 2.5-year tenure, ahead of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis’ scheduled swearing-in as the state’s Chief Minister tomorrow.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, Shinde said, “I am very happy with the completion of two and a half years. The work done by our government, the Mahayuti government, the three of us, and our team in the last 2.5 years is remarkable. It will be written in golden letters in history.”
Ajit Pawar assured the media that the new government would strive to serve the people effectively. “We will give our best to run the government in the state. Activities related to the party will be handled by (BJP chief) Chandrashekhar Bawankule and NCP’s Sunil Tatkare,” he added.
Fadnavis, unanimously chosen as the Leader of the Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party earlier in the day, announced that the swearing-in ceremony would take place on December 5 at 5:30 PM, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After meeting Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake a claim to form the government, Fadnavis said, “We will fulfill the promises made to the people of Maharashtra. Yesterday, I met Eknath Shinde and requested him to be part of this government. I have full faith he will be with us.”
The press conference also featured light-hearted moments. When asked if he and Ajit Pawar would be sworn in as deputies to Fadnavis, Shinde quipped, “Wait till evening…” Pawar added with a smile, “Sham tak unka samaj aayega (We will know about Shinde by evening). I will take it (oath), I will not wait.” Shinde humorously remarked, “Dada (Ajit Pawar) has experience of taking (oath) both in the morning and evening.”
The banter drew laughter from attendees, referencing the 2019 early-morning swearing-in ceremony where Fadnavis and Pawar briefly formed a government.
The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections resulted in a decisive victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which secured 235 of 288 seats. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The results underscored the Mahayuti’s dominance in the state’s political landscape.