As tension continues over who will be the next chief minister of Maharashtra, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday evening visited caretaker CM Eknath Shinde at his official residence, Varsha, in south Mumbai.
The visit comes less than 24 hours before the important BJP meeting where the newly elected MLAs will decide on the party leader of the legislature.
After the meeting on Wednesday, central observers – Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupana – will announce the name of the Prime Minister.
Shinde, the Shiv Sena chief and a key member of the BJP-led Mahayuti, who has been unwell for the past few days amid reports that he was upset after the Mahayuti leaders' meeting in the national capital, visited a private hospital in Thane for treatment. 'check-up' after returning from his native village Satara on Monday.
Reacting to the meeting between Fadnavis and Shinde, Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale said, “Devendra Fadnavis had come to meet Eknath Shinde to inquire about his ill health.”
However, when asked if the Sena chief would also take oath, he added, “After a decision is made, Eknath Shinde will take oath.”
Who will be CM?
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, a two-time former chief minister, is touted as the front-runner for the top position. However, the distribution of portfolios among the three allies might not be a smooth process as Shiv Sena leaders have demanded the home portfolio.
Shinde reiterates his support
On Monday, Eknath Shinde once again made it clear that he would not be an obstacle to the BJP getting the chief minister's post.
“I have already given my unconditional support to the party leadership and I will support their decision. The government will be formed and there will be no problems. There is coordination between all three parties,” Shinde said.
Oath-taking ceremony
The oath-taking ceremony of the Prime Minister will take place at Azad Maidan on the evening of December 5. The event will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mahayuti Alliance seats won
The Mahayuti won 230 of the 288 seats in the assembly. The BJP led with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena got 57 seats and the NCP 41 seats.
Who will be present?
— The swearing-in ceremony will be a grand affair with almost 42,000 people in attendance.
– Prime Minister Modi, up to ten Union ministers, and 19 chief ministers and deputy chief ministers are likely to attend the ceremony.
– It will be broadcast live across the state where LED screens are available.
— A separate seating arrangement will be made for 2,000 VVIPs.
Will Uddhav Thackeray be there?
Former Prime Minister and Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray would be invited by the General Administration Department as per protocol, said BJP leader Prasad Lad while speaking to PTI.
He added that it was up to him to attend or demonstrate his superficiality by skipping.
