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Maharashtra CM News Highlights: Fadnavis set to become Maharashtra CM, says 'Modi hai toh mumkin hai'

: Senior NCP members are camping in Delhi to bargain for a considerable share for the party in the Maharashtra cabinet, looking to...

The Times of India | Dec 04, 2024, 05:49:09 IST

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05:49 (IST), Dec, 04

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Installation of new CM will be a smooth affair, says Eknath Shinde

Seeking to project unity in Mahayuti, BJP's legislative party leader Devendra Fadnavis said, "The chief minister's post is just a technical agreement between us." At a presser with Fadnavis and NCP's Ajit Pawar, outgoing CM Eknath Shinde evaded a reply when asked if he would join the govt. "Wait till evening," he said, only for Ajit to interject, "He may decide by evening, but I am going to take oath (as dy CM)." While Ajit's comment drew laughter, Shinde said, "Ajit dada has experience. He can take oath in evening as well as in the morning," referring to the NCP chief's early-morning oath-taking as Fadnavis's deputy when BJP and an NCP faction led by him formed a short-lived govt in 2019. Ajit remarked that this time, it won't be for a short span but for five years. Read more

05:45 (IST), Dec, 04

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Five tough years end with a big reward for the Parivar veteran

As the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh gets ready to enter its 100th year, it has got the kind of gift it could only have dreamed of: in the state of its birth, a dyed-in-the-shakha saffron swayamsevak as chief minister, with smackingly high numbers in the legislature to back him up.

Devendra Fadnavis is a man with deep ideological moorings in the Sangh and serious political upbringing in the BJP, and as he gears up for his new innings as CM, he brings with him, in addition, the vastly educative experience of a real rollercoaster ride he's had over the past five years. That has seen him go through many moods, moments, experiences: one of exhilaration when the BJP-Shiv Sena combine won 161 seats in the 2019 assembly polls fought under his leadership; one of downright dejection when Uddhav Thackeray walked out of the alliance and Fadnavis suddenly realised the limitations of BJP's reduced tally of 105 (from the 122 it had in 2014), which had actually enabled Uddhav to jump ship; one of having to endure mocking references to his pre-2019 polls pronouncement of 'Mee Punha Yein (I'll be back),' which the opposition-and even detractors within BJP-used to beat him with. Read more

05:44 (IST), Dec, 04

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Shinde’s challenge is to keep MLAs happy as portfolio lobbying begins

With Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP set to take oath as chief minister on Thursday and the Shiv Sena having settled for the deputy chief minister's post and about a dozen ministerial berths, hectic lobbying has begun among MLAs and MLCs for portfolios. While the Shiv Sena camp was enthusiastic, several MLAs said that it would have been better for the party if Eknath Shinde had continued as chief minister for at least some more time as it would have boosted party morale and performance in the local body elections. Almost all outgoing cabinet ministers are keen on retaining their berths. Shiv Sena functionaries said that the party was likely to give a chance to new faces, and cabinet selection will be a careful balancing act of regional and caste factors, while also keeping in mind the upcoming local body elections. The Shiv Sena had 40 MLAs when the Mahayuti govt was formed in 2022. Now, after the assembly election, the Shiv Sena has 57 MLAs. Four independents have also extended support to the Shiv Sena. Read more

12:36 (IST), Dec, 03

Devendra Fadnavis wins Maha CM race; to take oath tomorrow

It's official. Devendra Fadnavis is set to be the Maharashtra chief minister. After eleven days of deliberations and rounds of meetings, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday finally elected Devendra Fadnavis as their legislative party leader.

The decision came after the party's core committee endorsed Fadnavis' name.

Senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil proposed Fadnavis for the post which leaders like Pankaja Munde seconded.

12:15 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: BJP chief Bawankule says, 'we won a historic mandate under the leadership of Devendra Fadanvis'

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, says "We all fought a historical election in the leadership of Devendra Fadanvis and we won a historic mandate for Mahayuti. We are committed to taking Maharashtra to the number one position with the help of PM Modi. We should thank crores of the people of Maharashtra that we contested 149 seats and won 132 which is the highest in history. Our allies also won 57 and 41 seats. 7 MLAs have also given support to us so we will have 237 Mahayuti members in this Assembly..."

12:11 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM News Live Updates: Celebrations began outside residence of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis

Celebrations began outside the residence of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis home in Maharashtra's Nagpur after the state BJP Legislative Party has chosen him as their leader through a unanimous decision.

12:03 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Devendra Fadnavis elected BJP legislature party leader in Maharashtra

11:57 (IST), Dec, 03

BJP Core committee endorsed Devendra Fadnavis for the post of legislative party leader

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11:55 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: BJP legislature party meeting begins, to elect new leader

BJP leaders head to the central hall of Mumbai's Vidhan Bhawan for the legislative party meeting following the core committee session.

11:52 (IST), Dec, 03

BJP Core committee endorsed Devendra Fadnavis for the post of legislative party leader

11:31 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Devendra Fadnavis to be sworn in as Maharashtra CM on December 5

Devendra Fadnavis set to take oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister on December 5. His name was finalised in BJP core committee meeting, according to news agency PTI sources.

11:05 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: BJP holds core committee meeting in Mumbai before legislature party meet

The Maharashtra BJP convened a core committee meeting in Mumbai ahead of the legislature party meeting. Key leaders, including Nirmala Sitharaman, Vijay Rupani, and Devendra Fadnavis, were in attendance.

10:33 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: MLAs arrive for BJP's legislature party key meeting

MLAs gather for BJP's legislature party meeting in Mumbai, where the announcement of Maharashtra's new Chief Minister is anticipated. The swearing-in ceremony for the new Mahayuti government is set to take place tomorrow at Azad Maidan.

10:32 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra govt formation: Posters depicting BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as CM, saying 'Aaaple Deva Bhau Mukhyamantri,' put up

09:17 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM swearing in ceremony: Traffic restrictions announced for December 5 in Mumbai

Traffic Police have issued vehicular restrictions for Dec 5 when the swearing in ceremony of chief minister and deputy chief minister of Maharashtra is to take place at Azad Maidan. "A large number of people are expected to arrive at Azad Maidan. Please plan your journey accordingly," said DCP (traffic) Pradnya Jedge in a press statement.

08:45 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra govt formation: Eknath Shinde agrees to be deputy CM after Fadnavis calls on him

In a breakthrough in power-sharing talks between BJP and Shiv Sena, Eknath Shinde has agreed to join the new Mahayuti govt and will likely be one of two deputy CMs to be sworn in on Thursday in a govt that could be led by BJP's Devendra Fadnavis, a Sena neta close to Shinde said after Fadnavis met the caretaker CM at his official Varsha residence on Tuesday evening.

The face-to-face interaction between Fadnavis and Shinde took place six days after they were in New Delhi for a meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah. Sources said Fadnavis visited the CM's official residence to convince Shinde to join the govt.

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06:39 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates 'At Shah meeting, Shinde asked to be made CM for at least first 6 months'

Offering a climbdown from his demand of being allowed to continue as the head of the Mahayuti govt, Sena chief Eknath Shinde asked BJP brass at a meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi last week that if it wasn't possible to give him the post for govt's full term, he should be made the CM for at least the first six months, a veteran politician has revealed. But BJP leadership rejected this proposal outright, saying it would set a bad precedent, he said.

"There is no system of appointing a CM for six months; it would be a bad decision and would have an adverse impact on the administration," he said, citing BJP functionaries. The meeting was held on Nov 28 a day after Shinde said he would not be an obstacle to formation of govt and would accept any decision taken by BJP brass as "final". It was also attended by BJP functionary Devendra Fadnavis, NCP president Ajit Pawar, its working president Praful Patel and its state chief Sunil Tatkare.

According to the politician, Shinde initially reminded BJP brass of the purported promise made after the Lok Sabha election and in the run-up to the assembly polls that if the alliance secured a clear majority, he would be retained as the chief minister. This request was rejected outright on the grounds that it would be wrong to give him the post when BJP secured "a near clear majority" in the 288-member House. BJP won 132 seats, Sena 57 and NC. In 2014, BJP had secured 122 seats and Fadnavis was then elected as CM with NCP's outside support. In response, Shinde was asked to put himself in the shoes of the BJP president, the politician said. "The BJP leadership told Shinde: 'Will you give up the claim to the CM post if you secured a clear majority?' Shinde was left speechless," he said. Read more

04:54 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Senior NCP netas camping in Delhi to bargain for cabinet berths equalling Shiv Sena's tally

Senior NCP members are camping in Delhi to bargain for a considerable share for the party in the Maharashtra cabinet, looking to equal the number that Shiv Sena gets in Mahayuti's second term, reports Anurag Bende. NCP chief Ajit Pawar, party's state president Sunil Tatkare, and other senior members have been in Delhi for the last couple of days, waiting to meet Union home minister Amit Shah to discuss the cabinet formation.

While NCP got the least seats among the Mahayuti partners, the party is pressing for the same number of posts as Shiv Sena. "Though Shiv Sena won more seats, NCP wants an equal number of cabinet posts along with the Sena. While deputy CM's post for Ajit Pawar is confirmed, the party wants to accommodate more of its members in the cabinet. Senior members have travelled to Delhi to discuss the possibilities," a senior BJP member said. Read more

00:25 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: 'Matter of sadness that they are insulting mandate', Priyanka Chaturvedi slams Mahayuti over delay on CM face

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday criticised the Mahayuti alliance for the delay in declaring the chief ministerial candidate for Maharashtra, calling it a matter of sadness that they are disrespecting the mandate they received.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged that no one has yet staked a claim before the Governor to form the government.

"It is not a matter of humour but of sadness that they are insulting the mandate they received. They have announced that the oath-taking ceremony will take place on December 5, but the Governor is unaware. No one has staked a claim before him to form the government, nor has he invited anyone. Nobody knows who the chief minister will be. It is disheartening for Maharashtra that despite such a strong mandate, they are unable to make a decision. In contrast, the chief minister of Jharkhand has already taken the oath, but this is not happening in Maharashtra," Priyanka told news agency ANI.

The Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, achieved a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections held on November 23. However, the alliance has yet to finalise its chief ministerial candidate.

Commenting on suggestions from TMC leaders that chief minister Mamata Banerjee should be made the leader of the INDIA bloc, days after Congress faced a crushing defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Priyanka Chaturvedi said the matter would be discussed, and a resolution would be worked out.

"This should be discussed, and we will work out a solution. However, we are very clear that there should be no compromise with the Constitution and our democracy," she said. (ANI)

00:25 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: 'Discussion held in cordial constructive atmosphere', says Abhishek Manu Singhvi

"We've had a discussion in a very cordial, constructive, positive atmosphere. I started by telling the Commission that ultimately we are furthering the cause of democracy because an uneven non-level playing field for elections directly affects and undermines the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. We said that we are here before you in a constructive spirit, in the interest of transparency and to reduce the trust deficit and ultimately our first step is to get disclosure of large volumes of raw data. Once we have the raw data we will be able to give our own conclusions and further analysis will follow," said Abhishek Manu Singhvi who was part of the Congress delegation that visited the EC office.

00:24 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: This government has not come by the votes of the people, says Maharashtra Congress chief

"This government has not come by the votes of the people. It has been formed because of the BJP people sitting in Delhi. They do not care about the people. ...We met the Election Commission today and will see what decision they take," said Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole after meeting Election Commission over Maharashtra Election result.

00:24 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Fadnavis came to meet Shinde to inquire about ill health, says Sena leader

"Devendra Fadnavis had come to meet him Eknath Shinde to inquire about his ill health," said Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale on the meeting between caretaker CM of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis.

On being asked if Eknath Shinde will take oath (during government formation), he said: "After a decision is taken, Eknath Shinde will take the oath." (ANI)

00:23 (IST), Dec, 03

Maharashtra new CM 2024: Consensus in Mahayuti on dropping ministers facing graft allegations in new govt, says Shiv Sena leader

A broad consensus has emerged among top BJP leaders and other Mahauti allies to drop ministers facing serious allegations of corruption in the new government, a Shiv Sena leader said on Tuesday. He said a decision on the allocation of portfolios will be finalised only after BJP legislators elect their legislature party leader on Wednesday.

The new government is scheduled to take oath on December 5 at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders.

"During a meeting with top BJP leaders in Delhi about Cabinet portfolios, a broad consensus emerged to drop individuals who have served as ministers and are facing serious corruption allegations," said Shiv Sena leader Kiran Pawaskar.

It's a kind of report card the BJP's top brass has sought, he told reporters in Mumbai. (PTI)

Devendra Fadnavis was finalised as the new chief minister during Wednesday's core committee meeting, as the Mahayuti alliance continues to navigate the ongoing leadership conundrum in Maharashtra.

A broad consensus has emerged among top BJP leaders and other Mahauti allies to drop ministers facing serious allegations of corruption in the new government, a Shiv Sena leader said on Tuesday. He said a decision on the allocation of portfolios will be finalised only after BJP legislators elect their legislature party leader on Wednesday.

The new government is scheduled to take oath on December 5 at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders.

"During a meeting with top BJP leaders in Delhi about Cabinet portfolios, a broad consensus emerged to drop individuals who have served as ministers and are facing serious corruption allegations," said Shiv Sena leader Kiran Pawaskar.

It's a kind of report card the BJP's top brass has sought, he told reporters in Mumbai. (PTI)

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