<p>Mumbai: Known for its cricket pitches, political rallies and protest meetings, the historic Azad Maidan in <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/mumbai">Mumbai </a>will be the venue for the swearing-in of the new Maha Yuti government. </p><p>The ground in the Fort area is synonymous with the history of this 'island city' and has seen its transformation from Bombay to Mumbai. </p><p>Azad Maidan has seen several meetings during the Independence struggle including those addressed by Mahatma Gandhi. </p><p>A cradle of cricket, the Azad Maidan was witness to the 1987 Harris Shield school match in which Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli shared a huge 664 run partnership entering the record books. </p>.Preparations under way at Azad Maidan for swearing-in of new Maharashtra govt.<p>Opposite Azad Maidan is the historic and iconic Bombay Gymkhana, which had the distinction of hosting India's first Test match starting in December 1933 when the team was captained by Colonel CK Nayudu. </p><p>On Thursday, in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan would administer oath of office and secrecy to the new Chief Minister of the Maha Yuti which comprises BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-headed NCP. </p><p>BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis is the front-runner for the top job, however, the picture would be clear only after Wednesday’s BJP Legislative Party meeting on Wednesday. </p><p>This is the second swearing-in at Azad Maidan. In November 2004, Congress stalwart Vilasrao Deshmukh was sworn in as the CM in Azad Maidan for the second time, involving the erstwhile Congress-NCP Democratic Front government. </p><p>Azad Maidan is located a stone's throw away from three iconic buildings - the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Esplanade Court aka Killa Court and the headquarters of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation. </p><p>Azad Maidan is also the venue for the Ram Lila in Mumbai. </p><p>Every year, Sunni Annual Ijtema is held at Azad Maidan. </p><p>“Majority of the protests and sit-ins are held in the Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The ground has its own sentiments, charm. It has a unique history,” said Ajit Joshi, an expert on the history and heritage of Mumbai.</p><p>The Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial, which is a war memorial dedicated to the fighters of the 1857, the First War of Independence, is located outside the Azad Maidan. </p><p>In 1930, the Azad Maidan was also the hub of the Civil Disobedience Movement of Bombay.</p>
<p>Mumbai: Known for its cricket pitches, political rallies and protest meetings, the historic Azad Maidan in <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/mumbai">Mumbai </a>will be the venue for the swearing-in of the new Maha Yuti government. </p><p>The ground in the Fort area is synonymous with the history of this 'island city' and has seen its transformation from Bombay to Mumbai. </p><p>Azad Maidan has seen several meetings during the Independence struggle including those addressed by Mahatma Gandhi. </p><p>A cradle of cricket, the Azad Maidan was witness to the 1987 Harris Shield school match in which Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli shared a huge 664 run partnership entering the record books. </p>.Preparations under way at Azad Maidan for swearing-in of new Maharashtra govt.<p>Opposite Azad Maidan is the historic and iconic Bombay Gymkhana, which had the distinction of hosting India's first Test match starting in December 1933 when the team was captained by Colonel CK Nayudu. </p><p>On Thursday, in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan would administer oath of office and secrecy to the new Chief Minister of the Maha Yuti which comprises BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-headed NCP. </p><p>BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis is the front-runner for the top job, however, the picture would be clear only after Wednesday’s BJP Legislative Party meeting on Wednesday. </p><p>This is the second swearing-in at Azad Maidan. In November 2004, Congress stalwart Vilasrao Deshmukh was sworn in as the CM in Azad Maidan for the second time, involving the erstwhile Congress-NCP Democratic Front government. </p><p>Azad Maidan is located a stone's throw away from three iconic buildings - the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Esplanade Court aka Killa Court and the headquarters of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation. </p><p>Azad Maidan is also the venue for the Ram Lila in Mumbai. </p><p>Every year, Sunni Annual Ijtema is held at Azad Maidan. </p><p>“Majority of the protests and sit-ins are held in the Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The ground has its own sentiments, charm. It has a unique history,” said Ajit Joshi, an expert on the history and heritage of Mumbai.</p><p>The Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial, which is a war memorial dedicated to the fighters of the 1857, the First War of Independence, is located outside the Azad Maidan. </p><p>In 1930, the Azad Maidan was also the hub of the Civil Disobedience Movement of Bombay.</p>