Maharashtra government formation: Signal to Shinde? BJP says Maharashtra government oath on December 5

NEW DELHI: BJP on Saturday announced that the new Mahayuti govt will be sworn in on Dec 5 in what is being seen as a signal to Eknath Shinde to make up his mind fast about joining the govt led by Devendra Fadnavis.

State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said in a post on X that the swearing-in ceremony will take place at Azad Maidan and PM Modi would attend it. "The wait for this historic swearing-in is over. We thank the public for their support," Bawankule said.

CM will be from BJP, deputies from NCP & Sena, says Ajit
The announcement came after talks had paused after the three Mahayuti netas, caretaker CM Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar met home minister Amit Shah in Delhi. The unambiguous post on X and the timing of it came as a surprise because there has been no communication between Shinde and BJP since he left Delhi and headed to his village in Satara district, after which he has been reportedly unwell.

Political circles in Delhi and Mumbai were unanimous that the post was a clear message to Shinde to come around and agree to be part of the Fadnavis govt.

During deliberations, Shinde had raised the issue of the awkwardness of him joining govt as deputy CM after having served as CM of Mahayuti govt. Sources said Shah is learned to have told him calmly that even Fadnavis, an ex-CM, had joined him as deputy and it was not a decision Fadnavis took on his own but because he was asked to do so by the party.

BJP's confidence is based on the numbers it has in the assembly: 132 plus five independents, which with Ajit's support swells to a daunting 178, putting the ball in Shinde's court.

NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Saturday reiterated the CM would be from BJP and there would be two deputy chief ministers, one from NCP and the other from Shiv Sena.

However, Sena would, in addition to seeking the deputy CM's post, keep up its demand for the home portfolio and for retaining all the nine ministries it held in the Shinde-led govt, a Sena functionary said. These include the industries and urban development departments.

Asked about Sena's demand for the home portfolio, Ajit Pawar said, "It's the CM's prerogative to decide portfolios. There is no tug-of-war regarding portfolios."

Shiv Sena's Sanjay Shirsat justified the party's demand. "When BJP held the deputy CM's post, they got the home portfolio. So it's only fair that we insist on it. If there is a dashing leader in charge of the home department, it will keep rioters at bay," he said.

The Sena functionary said there are no backchannel talks or negotiations going on with BJP and any formula will only be discussed when Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar meet in person.



"Before the meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, CM Shinde had made it clear he was wholeheartedly accepting of their decision on the next CM. In the Delhi meeting, no name for CM was announced. It was only indicated that the CM will be from BJP. It was decided that the exact formula will be decided by CM Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in Mumbai and then reported to New Delhi. After CM Shinde's return from Delhi there has been no communication with BJP or NCP, and BJP hasn't elected its own legislature party leader," the Sena functionary said.

In the outgoing govt, CM Shinde headed urban development department. Gulabrao Patil helmed water supply and sanitation, Dada Bhuse led ports and mining, Uday Samant was industries minister and Tanaji Sawant had public health and family welfare portfolio, among others.

The Sena functionary said, "Our ministers got only 2.5 years in this govt so they need more time to perform. Sena is clear on this. Whether CM Shinde is the DCM or he nominates someone else is his decision."

Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said, "Before the MVA govt was formed, they declared President's rule. Now after such a massive majority, the Mahayuti govt has still not been formed. The term of the assembly is over. Why hasn't President's rule been declared?" Thackeray took a dig at Shinde's trip to his village in Satara on Friday. "After such a massive majority, some people are going to their fields instead of Raj Bhavan," he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut said, "Shinde looks uneasy, both mentally and physically. The smile on his face and twinkle in his eyes is gone. It's like he was offered something which has been taken away," Raut said.

Shiv Sena's Shirsat hit back at Raut, saying, "After this verdict, it's clear to us whose mental balance has been affected."