Devendra Fadnavis meets Eknath Shinde ahead of Mahayuti Government Swearing-In

On Tuesday evening, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis met with Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Varsha, Mumbai, just days ahead of the Mahayuti alliance’s swearing-in ceremony. The meeting, which lasted for an hour, focused on critical discussions related to the upcoming oath-taking and government formation.

According to a Shiv Sena leader, the discussions included the election of BJP’s legislative leader, portfolio distribution, and the selection of Shiv Sena leaders who will take the oath on December 5. The names of these leaders will be finalized by the party. Further discussions on portfolio allocation and other aspects of the government’s structure are expected to take place following the BJP’s internal meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

This marks the first face-to-face meeting between Fadnavis, representing the BJP, and Shinde, representing Shiv Sena, since the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections were declared. Over the past 24 hours, BJP leader Girish Mahajan has also met Shinde twice to discuss the matter.

However, after returning to Mumbai, Shinde took a brief break to visit his native village in Satara for two days. He canceled all appointments on his return to Mumbai, citing ill health. On Tuesday, he visited a Thane hospital for a medical check-up before returning to his bungalow.

During a recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, Shinde and NCP leader Ajit Pawar had both pledged their support for the state government formation.

The meeting between the Mahayuti leaders is crucial as the oath-taking ceremony approaches, especially with public differences over power-sharing emerging in the past few days.

In the Maharashtra Assembly elections, which were held on November 23, BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, while its allies, Shiv Sena and NCP, secured 57 and 41 seats, respectively.