Fadnavis Set to Lead Coalition Government in Maharashtra, Shinde‘s Role Uncertain
Mumbai is electric with anticipation as Devendra Fadnavis of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prepares to be sworn in as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister for an unprecedented third term. The ceremony promises to be a spectacle, taking place on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan.
Fadnavis won’t stand alone; he’ll lead a Mahayuti coalition government alongside Eknath Shinde, departing Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and Ajit Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, who will both serve as deputy chief ministers.
This intricate power-sharing arrangement between traditional political rivals – the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the NCP – was orchestrated following the recent assembly elections.
Shinde’s role in the new cabinet remains shrouded in uncertainty. Before the announcement, he gallantly left the decision of who would lead the government to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, sparking speculation and confusion about the outcome.
Adding to the intrigue, Shinde’s fellow Shiv Sena leaders had vehemently championed him for the Chief Minister’s post, highlighting his instrumental role in securing a landslide victory for the Mahayuti alliance in the recent assembly elections.
When pressed for clarity at a press conference on Wednesday, Eknath Shinde remained purposefully evasive, inviting a wave of rumors. “Everyone will know about Shinde by the evening, but I will take the oath. I will not wait,” declared an emboldened Ajit Pawar, putting an unexpected humorous spin on his hat-trick of taking oaths at different times of day, alluding to a short-lived government formed in 2019.
Making light of the situation, Shinde responded, with a playful jab at Pawar, “Dada (Ajit Pawar) has experience of taking [oaths] both in morning and evening.”
The coming together opens a new chapter in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside several BJP chief ministers, and Dr. Ajit Pawar will be present to witness this historic moment. Thousands of supporters from the Mahayuti partners, including BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, are expected to attend.
Anticipating a massive crowd exceeding 40,000 people, meticulous security preparations have been put in place by the Mumbai police. Around 2,000 VIP guests, including prominent political leaders and respected figures from various religious communities, will enjoy dedicated seating arrangements, securing their comfort and safety. A total of over 3,500 police personnel, including 520 officers, have been deployed for security purposes.
To ensure a smooth event for all attendees, the Mumbai police have issued detailed advisories and imposed traffic restrictions, effective from noon until the ceremony’s conclusion.
Due to limited parking facilities at Azad Maidan, the authorities strongly encourage attendees to utilize public transport options, particularly Mumbai’s reliable train and local services.
The ceremony marks a fresh start for the state, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
How did the BJP and Shiv Sena overcome their traditional rivalry to form this unexpected coalition government?
## Interview: Maharashtra’s Evolving Political Landscape
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing the latest developments in Maharashtra’s political arena following the recent assembly elections. Joining us is Dr. Alex Reed, a prominent political analyst specializing in Maharashtra politics. Dr. Alex Reed, welcome to the programme.
**Dr. Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s jump right in. Devendra Fadnavis is set to swear in as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister for an unprecedented third term. This comes after a surprising turn of events, with the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, coming together to form the government. Can you shed some light on this unexpected coalition?
**Dr. Alex Reed:** Absolutely. This alliance took many by surprise, as the BJP and Shiv Sena have been traditional rivals. However, the NCP joining forces with them adds another layer of complexity. This screenshot from the Indian Express [[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-new-cm-oath-ceremony-ceremony-live-updates-devendra-fadnavis-swearing-in-ceremony-today-eknath-shinde-modi-shah-9707275/)]clearly outlines the coalition and the swearing-in ceremony details. It seems political pragmatism and the desire to form a stable government have trumped ideological differences.
**Host:** Indeed. Now, Eknath Shinde, the outgoing Chief Minister, has agreed to be a Deputy Chief Minister. However, there’s a lot of speculation surrounding his role in the new cabinet. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Alex Reed:** Absolutely. Shinde played a crucial role in the Mahayuti’s victory, leading a breakaway faction from the Shiv Sena. Many expected him to be Chief Minister, but he ultimately deferred the decision to Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah [[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-new-cm-oath-ceremony-ceremony-live-updates-devendra-fadnavis-swearing-in-ceremony-today-eknath-shinde-modi-shah-9707275/)]. This has led to confusion and uncertainty about his exact position within the government.
**Host:** What are the potential implications of this power-sharing arrangement in the long run?
**Dr. Alex Reed:** It’s a delicate balancing act. The BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP have vastly differing ideologies. Keeping this coalition together will require deft political maneuvering and a willingness to compromise. It remains to be seen how long this alliance will last.
**Host:** Dr. Alex Reed, thank you for your insightful analysis. This is certainly a fascinating time in Maharashtra’s politics, and we’ll be following these developments closely.
