Maharashtra CM Suspense Ends? BJP Leader Says Devendra Fadnavis Named As Next Chief Minister

Maharashtra CM News: Amid the suspense over the next Maharashtra Chief Minister, the name of Devendra Fadnavis has been finalised as the next CM of the state, reports news agency PTI, quoting a senior BJP leader. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he told PTI that the BJP legislature party meeting will be held on either December 2 or 3. He further said that the oath-taking ceremony of the new Mahayuti government will take place on the evening of December 5 at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai.

However, there is no official confirmation regarding the next chief minister from the BJP or any top leader of the alliance. Earlier, the caretaker CM Eknath Shinde said that the name of the new CM will be announced on December 2. 

"I am feeling better now. I came here to rest after the busy election schedule. I didn't take any leave during my two and half years as Chief Minister. People are still visiting me here. This government will listen to the people. I have already given my unconditional support to the decision of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and BJP President and I will support whatever they decide for Maharashtra," said Shinde, while speaking to the reporters.

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Shinde also added that the unity among the leaders of Mahayuti was because people chose the BJP-led alliance because of the work done by them in the past two and a half years.

Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis—widely considered the frontrunner for Chief Minister—NCP chief Ajit Pawar and other Mahayuti leaders met Amit Shah and JP Nadda in Delhi on Thursday evening to discuss the deadlock over the Chief Ministerial position.

The opposition has questioned the delay in choosing the CM by Mahayuti amid the speculations about an inside rift. However, the leaders of the BJP-led alliance have always refuted such claims.

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The Maharashtra Assembly election results, declared on November 23, saw the Mahayuti alliance achieve a landslide victory. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats in the 280-member Assembly, while its allies-the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, and the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar-won 57 and 41 seats, respectively.

(With input from agencies)