The Maharashtra BJP Legislature Party, during its core meeting on Wednesday, elected former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as its leader, paving the way for his swearing-in as the Chief Minister for a third time.

Soon after Fadnavis was elected, in the presence of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who were deputed by the BJP Parliamentary Board as observers, an official invitation for the swearing-in ceremony surfaced online.

According to the viral invitation, the swearing-in ceremony of Devendra Fadnavis will take place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai’s Fort area at around 5:30 PM.

The Deputy Chief Ministers and Cabinet ministers will also take their oaths alongside Fadnavis, as per the official invitation. Outgoing chief minister Eknath Shinde and NCP leader Ajit Pawar will be sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers during the ceremony, as per reports.

Fadnavis, who served as deputy chief minister in the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government, is expected to meet Governor CP Radhakrishnan at 3:30 pm on Wednesday to stake his claim to form the new government in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union Ministers, and 19 chief ministers and deputy chief ministers are reportedly expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Special arrangements have been made to accommodate 40,000 BJP supporters, along with a separate seating arrangement for 2,000 VVIPs, according to reports.

Mahayuti, under the leadership of CM-elect Devendra Fadnavis met Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake claim of government formation. Fadnavis was accompanied by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.

After the leaders’ meeting with the goverrnor CM-designate Fadnavis addressed the media.

“We have met the Governor and handed over the letter of support to stake claim to form the government in the state. Our alliance partners Shiv Sena and NCP have requested the Governor that I should be sworn in as Mahayuti CM…Governor accepted all the requests and invited us for the oath ceremony tomorrow at 5.30 pm…” he said.

He appeared to downplay the issue of posts of chief minister and deputy chief minister.

“The posts of CM and DCM are just technical posts. We all will work together for Maharashtra. Other ministers will be decided in upcoming meetings…” said Fadnavis.

Ajit Pawar expressed confidence in the functioning of the new government.

“…We will give our best to run the government in the state. Activities related to the party will be handled by (BJP chief) Chandrashekhar Bawankule and NCP’s Sunil Tatkare…” said Ajit Pawar during the media address.

Mumbai: Preparations are in full swing at the Azad Maidan here for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra on December 5. The Mumbai police have already beefed up the security around Azad Maidan.

About Colonel Tushar Joshi

One of the key players in overseeing security measures at Azad Maidan is the former National Security Guards (NSG) commando Colonel Tushar Joshi – a national hero who headed Operation Vajra, the 2002 terrorist attack at Akshardham Temple in Gujarat. Colonel Joshi was the one who shot the last terrorist and was awarded a Sena Medal. The ex-black cat commando visited the Azad Maidan to review the preparations ahead of the VVIP event.

“I am overseeing the ‘access control’ and will augment the security measures undertaken by the Mumbai Police,” Mumbai Police will main agency overlooking security and other agencies work in co-ordination, Colonel Joshi said.