Sudhir Mungantiwar, BJP leader and former minister on Monday declared that that Devendra Fadnavis will be the Maharashtra Chief Minister. "It is my opinion that the decision will be taken in the meeting of the legislative party. BJP will not give any surprise," he said.
Sudhir Mungantiwar further added that Eknath Shinde is not angry about this decision. "If you have your own demands about a department, it does not mean that you are angry. He takes good care of everyone. Shinde will be respected. I think Shinde will also be a part of the government. People have won Mahayuti with a big vote." he said.
Mungantiwar also added that a grand swearing-in ceremony will be held in Mumbai on December 5.
Another senior BJP leader on Sunday said that the name of Devendra Fadnavis has been finalised as the new chief minister of Maharashtra who will be elected as the legislature party leader in a meeting to be held either on December 2 or 3.
"The name of Devendra Fadnavis has been finalised as the new chief minister of Maharashtra. The meeting to elect the new BJP legislature party meeting will be held on either December 2 or 3," a senior BJP leader told PTI.
Earlier in the day, outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he would support the BJP's decision to pick the new chief minister.
Amid speculation that his son Shrikant Shinde might get the deputy CM's post and Shiv Sena is keen on the Home portfolio, Eknath Shinde said the Mahayuti allies- BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena- will decide the government formation through consensus after sitting together.
More than a week after the Mahayuti clinched a massive victory in Maharashtra polls with the BJP emerging as the single largest party with 132 seats, the new government is yet to be sworn in.
The oath-taking ceremony of the Mahayuti government is scheduled for December 5 evening at Azad Maidan in Mumbai in the presence of PM Modi.
The BJP is moving cautiously as aspirations of its allies, especially Shiv Sena, grew after the massive poll victory. Despite Shinde's insistence on Mahayuti unity, some leaders of allies spoke in different voices.
Former Union minister and BJP leader Raosaheb Danve said if the undivided Sena and BJP had contested the elections together, they would have won more seats. The Mahayuti won 230 of the 288 assembly seats. The BJP led with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena got 57 and NCP 41.
