BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis will take oath today as the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, marking his third term in the state’s top post. The oath-taking ceremony is set to be held at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan at 5 PM, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other top dignitaries.

A Leader’s Journey: Fadnavis’s Third Term

This will be Fadnavis’s third stint as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister. He first held the position from October 2014 to November 2019, becoming the youngest Chief Minister of the state at the age of 44. His second term lasted just five days in November 2019, following the Shiv Sena’s exit from an alliance with the BJP.

Mahayuti Alliance Victory and New Leadership

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), secured a landslide victory in the recent state assembly elections, winning 230 out of 288 seats.

The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, its highest-ever tally in Maharashtra. While Fadnavis takes the top post, two Deputy Chief Ministers will also be sworn in today:

Ajit Pawar, leader of the NCP faction.

Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena leader and outgoing Chief Minister, who has accepted the role after earlier speculation of dissatisfaction.

Grand Ceremony and Security Arrangements

The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be a grand event, with around 42,000 attendees, including 2,000 VVIPs. Alongside PM Modi, the event will see the participation of 19 Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and several Union Ministers.

To ensure safety, extensive security measures have been put in place. Joint Police Commissioner Satya Narayan Choudhary stated that over 4,000 security personnel, including teams from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, will be deployed. Traffic diversions are in effect, and 8,000 CCTV cameras will monitor the event.

Rising Speculation and Political Developments

The leadership decision was finalized after a crucial BJP legislature party meeting in Mumbai, where Fadnavis was unanimously chosen as CM. His name was proposed by former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and seconded by senior BJP leaders.

Shinde’s acceptance of the Deputy CM role ends days of speculation about a potential rift within the Mahayuti alliance. Earlier reports suggested his displeasure over not being considered for another term as CM. However, Shinde’s return to Mumbai on Tuesday signaled a resolution.

The new government will convene a three-day special session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from December 7, during which newly-elected MLAs will take their oaths, and a speaker will be elected. The winter session of the state legislature is scheduled to be held in Nagpur from December 16 to 21.

Known for his strategic acumen, Fadnavis is widely credited as the architect of the BJP’s historic victory in Maharashtra. With a strong social media presence and proven administrative track record, he is set to steer the state’s governance alongside his alliance partners. Today’s swearing-in marks a pivotal moment in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with the Mahayuti alliance poised to shape the state’s future under Fadnavis’s leadership.