Maha CM oath ceremony highlights: Devendra Fadnavis becomes Maharashtra Chief Minister for 3rd time

Devendra Fadnavis oath taking ceremony live: Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde had indicated that he was reluctant to join the new government as deputy CM. Catch all the latest live updates here

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra CM in star-studded ceremony. Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar take oath as Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra. The event saw the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, and a host of other BJP leaders and chief ministers from across the country. The high-profile gathering marked a significant moment in Maharashtra’s political landscape.  The Shiv Sena announced that Eknath Shinde will take oath as Maharashtra deputy chief minister today after several days of uncertainity. Shinde was reportedly miffed as he had to cede the top post to the Mahayuti ally BJP, and was reluctant to take the deputy CM post.

  BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is set to reclaim his role as Maharashtra's chief minister for a third term, following a decision during the BJP core committee's Wednesday meeting. The resolution, which resolved previous uncertainty, solidifies Fadnavis's leadership in forming Maharashtra's new government. The recommendation for Fadnavis's reinstatement was put forward by Vijay Rupani, the former Gujarat Chief Minister who was designated as the party's observer for the Maharashtra legislative assembly meeting.The swearing-in cermony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. NCP head Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde are also expected to take oath as deputy chief ministers, media outlets reported. This is for the third time that Fadnavis (54), an MLA from Nagpur, will be sworn-in as the CM of Maharashtra. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, where elaborate security arrangements have been made for the event. The formation of the government under Fadnavis comes after two weeks of intense negotiations following the November 20 state assembly polls, the results of which were declared on November 23.

 

Fadnavis had emerged as the frontrunner for the coveted post following the BJP's strong showing in the elections as it secured 132 seats in the 288-member House. Together with its allies Shiv Sena and NCP, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition has a commanding majority of 230 seats. On Wednesday, Fadnavis, joined by Shinde and Pawar, met with state Governor CP Radhakrishnan to formally stake claim to form the government, presenting letters of support from the coalition partners.  Fadnavis, who is credited as the architect of the BJP’s record-breaking success in Maharashtra, was pivotal in securing 132 of the 149 seats contested by the party. His return to the chief minister's post is further solidified by the backing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a key ally of the BJP, reinforcing his position within the party.

5:42 PM

Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde takes oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, UP CM Yogi Adityanath and CMs & Deputy CMs of NDA-ruled states, Union Ministers, NDA leaders present at the swearing-in ceremony.

5:41 PM

PM Narendra Modi congratulates Devendra Fadnavis on taking oath as Maharashtra CM

5:39 PM

Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister for 3rd time

In a grand swearing-in ceremony brimming with political powerhouses, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Maharashtra’s 21st Chief Minister today. The event saw the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, and a host of other BJP leaders and chief ministers from across the country. The high-profile gathering marked a significant moment in Maharashtra’s political landscape.

5:29 PM

Maharashtra CM oath ceremony LIVE: PM Modi arrives at Azad maidan, Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Azad Maidan in Mumbai to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Maharashtra government.
After weeks of intense political discussions, Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar officially staked their claim to form the Mahayuti government by presenting their letters of support to Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan.

5:27 PM

Maharashtra CM oath ceremony LIVE: Amit Shah, Ambanis, Shah Rukh Khan among spectators

5:24 PM

Maharashtra CM oath ceremony LIVE: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu arrives at Azad Maidan

5:23 PM

Political giants, business tycoons, and Bollywood celebs gather for Maharashtra CM oath ceremony

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, UP CM Yogi Adityanath and CMs & Deputy CMs of NDA-ruled states, Union Ministers, NDA leaders present at Maharashtra government swearing-in ceremony

4:45 PM

Maharashtra CM oath ceremony LIVE: Kailash Kher performs at Azad Maidan

Singer Kailash Kher is performing at the Mahayuti government's swearing-in ceremony at Azad Maidan.

4:40 PM

CM Chandrababu Naidu to join oath taking ceremony

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu has arrived in Mumbai to attend oath ceremony of Maharashtra government

4:38 PM

Multiple Bollywood stars in attendance

Several personalities from the Hindi film industry, including Ranbir Kapoor, Bonny Kapoor and his daughters Janhavi and Khusi, and Ranveer Singh, are present at the oath-taking ceremony of Chief Minister-designate Devendra Fadnavis.

 

4:28 PM

Sense of responsibility is greater this time, says Amruta Fadnavis

"It is a beautiful day when Devendra ji has become MLA for the 6th time and for the third time he has got the CM post. We are happy about it but the sense of responsibility is greater," Maharashtra CM-designate Devendra Fadnavis's wife, Amruta Fadnavis, said today. 

4:17 PM

Maharashtra LIVE updates: Preparations underway at Azad Maidan

Preparations are underway at Azad Maidan in Mumbai for the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as the the new CM of Maharashtra.

4:02 PM

Maharashtra CM oath taking: Fadnavis makes comeback as CM, all you need to know

The deadlock in Maharashtra was resolved today as Devendra Fadnavis, senior BJP leader, prepares to take the oath as the 18th chief minister of the state today.  Eknath Shinde will finally take oath as Maharashtra deputy chief minister after days of extended deliberations. Read here for more details.

3:43 PM

Had talks with Fadnavis confirming that Shinde will join him as deputy CM: Uday Samant

"Eknath Shinde is set to take oath as deputy chief minister. We had a discussion with Devendra Fadnavis, who provided us with a letter confirming that Shinde will join him as deputy CM. I am here to submit it to the governor," Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan.

3:25 PM

Maharashtra LIVE updates: Eknath Shinde will take oath as deputy chief minister, Shiv Sena confirms

Eknath Shinde will take the oath as Maharashtra deputy chief minister, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant announced today.