BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the 21st Chief Minister of Maharashtra, leading the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance back to power with a historic mandate. The grand ceremony took place at Mumbai’s iconic Azad Maidan, a site known for its historical significance dating back to the British era.
Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde sworn as DY, CM
Fadnavis’s alliance partners, Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar of the NCP, were also sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers, solidifying the Mahayuti alliance’s grip on the state. This coalition, formed by the BJP, Shinde’s faction of the Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, secured 237 out of 288 seats in the recent Assembly elections held on 23 November. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena and NCP secured 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
Top leaders of NDA ruled states were present
The swearing-in ceremony was a high-profile event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President J.P. Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several Union Cabinet Ministers. Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states, including Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Goa CM Pramod Sawant, and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, also marked their presence. Political allies such as N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chirag Paswan, and Pawan Kalyan were present, underscoring the broad support for the new Maharashtra government. The business world was represented by industrial giants Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, and Gautam Adani, while Bollywood celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan added a touch of glamour to the event.
Fall of MVA
Fadnavis, who previously served as Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019, expressed his gratitude to the people of Maharashtra for the overwhelming mandate. Union Minister Piyush Goyal called Fadnavis his “younger brother” and emphasized that the Mahayuti alliance would continue to provide good governance, accelerate development, and fulfil the aspirations of Maharashtra’s citizens. Meanwhile, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, faced a significant setback, securing only 46 seats in total. Congress managed to win 16 seats, Uddhav Sena 20, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP just 10.
