Devendra Fadnavis elected as leader of Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party, to take CM's oath tomorrow

Maharashtra: The BJP achieved remarkable success in the November 20 Maharashtra elections, securing 132 out of the 288 assembly seats in the state, marking its best performance in the state so far.

Maharashtra: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis has been unanimously elected as the Leader of Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party on Wednesday. He will take oath as the next chief minister of Maharashtra on December 5 at around 5:30 pm. The core committee team of BJP has today approved the name of Devendra Fadnavis to become the next CM. The swearing-in ceremony will be held in Mumbai on Thursday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Fadnavis' name was finalised for the top post at the BJP's core committee meeting held ahead of the legislature party meeting. 

As per reports, the leaders of 'Mahayuti' will go to the Governor's House at around 3:30 pm on Wednesday to stake their claim to form the government in Maharashtra.

Double engine govt under PM Modi's leadership will fulfill all promises: Sitharaman 

“I congratulate Devendra Fadnavis. During the elections, the decision of 14 crore people of Maharashtra gave a message to the country about 'Viksit Bharat’. I believe that people got tired of the alliance government which worked under the leadership of Congress. I want to say that this ‘double-engine’ government under the leadership of PM Modi will fulfill all the promises,” said Union Minister and party observer Nirmala Sitharaman as she addressed the BJP MLAs in Mumbai.

BJP legislature party meeting in Mumbai

Chandrakant Patil and Sudhir Mungantiwar proposed the name of Devendra Fadnavis in the BJP legislature party meeting. Ashish Shelar and Ravindra supported the proposal and Randhir Savarkar conducted the process. 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is also an observer, joined Vijay Rupani in the talks. The two leaders met BJP’s elected representatives in the Central Hall of the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan to finalise the name.

Maharashtra BJP Mahila Morcha President, Chitra Kishor Wagh earlier said, " Maharashtra women's dear brother's name is going to come in sometime today. We all sisters are very happy and it is just a matter of time." Ravi Rana, Independent MLA said, "Maharashtra needs Devendra Fadnavis for its development and future. We are with him and people of Maharashtra want Fadnavis to be CM."

Mahayuti leaders to meet Governor to stake claim after BJP legislature party meet: Sudhir Mungantiwar

Maharashtra BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said the Mahayuti partners will meet Governor CP Radhakrishnan at 3:30 pm on Wednesday to stake a claim to form a government in the state. Mungantiwar was speaking to media ahead of the BJP's crucial legislature party meeting scheduled at the Vidhan Bhavan here on Wednesday to elect its leader, who is expected to be sworn in as the chief minister on Thursday.

Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is being seen as the frontrunner for the top post in the new Mahayuti government. "After the meeting at the Vidhan Bhavan, all Mahayuti leaders will head to the Raj Bhavan to meet Governor CP Radhakrishnan. The leaders will submit their claim to form government in Maharashtra," Mungantiwar said.

Talking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan, BJP MLA Ram Kadam said, "You will hear a good news soon. The BJP legislature party leader will be someone the entire state wishes to see as the chief minister."

Talk underway with newly elected 132 MLAs

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, one of the two BJP observers for its Maharashtra legislature party meeting, has earlier said the name of the legislature party leader will be finalised on Wednesday (December 4) after talks with the party’s newly-elected MLAs in the state.

Rupani, who arrived in Mumbai late Tuesday evening for this crucial meeting, said if there is unanimity, then only one name will be selected. The BJP has achieved remarkable success in the November 20 Maharashtra elections, securing 132 out of 288 seats, marking its best performance in the state so far.

Speaking to media, Rupani said, “The government will be formed. Discussions with the elected MLAs will take place tomorrow. One name will be finalised and it will be announced later.”

He said the process of finalising the leader of the BJP’s legislative party follows a set tradition within the party. “This is our way of finalising the name. The legislature party leader will be decided and the leader will take oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra the next day,” he added.

“If there is unanimity, then only one proposal (name) will be put forward,” Rupani added.

New CM to take oath on December 5

The party has already announced that the new Chief Minister will take oath on December 5 at a mega event at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union Ministers, party leaders and Chief Ministers of the party-ruled states.

This structured approach ensures a smooth transition and reflects the BJP’s commitment to maintaining order within its ranks. The upcoming oath ceremony signifies a significant moment for the party in Maharashtra, highlighting its electoral achievements and future governance plans.