Suspense nearly over! Maharashtra Chief Minister's name to be announced on Dec 4

Earlier, BJP named Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as its central observers for the legislature party meeting.

Mumbai:  In what would end days of suspense in Maharashtra, the new Chief Minister would be known on Wednesday (December 4) after the BJP holds its much-awaited Legislature Party meeting in Mumbai.

BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, a two-time CM, one-term Deputy CM and ex-Leader of Opposition, is tipped to head the new Maha Yuti-NDA government which includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. 

The BJP’s Parliamentary Board  is sending two observers - former Gujarat CM and party’s in-charge of Punjab Vivek Rupani and Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Mumbai. 

They will arrive on Tuesday (December 3) and hold informal talks with the top leadership in Maharashtra.

On Wednesday, the LP will meet to elect the new leader. 

After this, the Maha Yuti leadership will formally meet and later call on Governor CP Radhakrishnan and formally stake claim to form the next government.

The new government would be sworn in on Thursday (December 5) at the historic Azad Maidan in Mumbai in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

In a related development, state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule accompanied by BJP MLC Pravin Darekar inspected the arrangements at the Azad Maidan, where the swearing-in ceremony would be held on Thursday. 

Modi, top BJP leaders, union ministers, CMs of BJP-ruled states are among those who would be attending the swearing in-ceremony.

The who’s who of India including those from politics, business, entertainment, sports, literature besides saints would be present. 

“The swearing in would take place on December 5 at 1730 hrs at an impressive ceremony,” said Bawankule. 

“There are no differences…no one is upset…the BJP is calling its LP meeting and things would be clear by Tuesday or Wednesday who the CM would be,” Darekar said. 

Asked about whoo the new CM would be, he said: “The BJP is a disciplined party. The next CM would be whom the people of Maharashtra want. If people want Fadnavis, then he will become the CM. It will be announced soon.” 

It is, however, not yet known whether only the CM and two Deputy CMs would be sworn in now or Cabinet ministers and Ministers of State would also be sworn in. 

As Shinde is unwell, he cancelled engagements for the day and is recuperating at his Thane home. However, a few top leaders of the party met him. There are still reports that Shinde is upset though he had said twice that he would go by the decision of Modi and Shah on BJP’s CM and there would be total cooperation from Shiv Sena’s side. 

“Shinde is not upset. We just want Shinde to be accorded proper respect…he follows the path of Hindutva, works hard and that we have seen the way he has worked in the government,” said Shiv Sena spokesperson Deepak Kesarkar. “We want Shinde to be in government and guide us,” said Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant. 

In a related development, Pawar left for New Delhi, where he is expected to meet Shah. “I do not have information about this…when he comes here, we will meet,” said state NCP President and Raigad MP Sunil Tatkare.