The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced on Saturday that the new Mahayuti government will be sworn in on December 5, a move widely interpreted as a message to the caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde to swiftly decide on joining the government led by Devendra Fadnavis.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), state BJP head Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated that PM Modi will be present at the swearing-in event, which would be held at Azad Maidan.
“The wait for this historic swearing-in is over. We thank the public for their support,” Bawankule said.
After the three Mahayuti netas—Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar—met Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, negotiations stalled and the announcement was made.
The straightforward post on X and its timing came as a surprise, given there has been no communication between Shinde and the BJP since he left Delhi for his village in Satara district, where he has reportedly been unwell.
All political circles in Delhi and Mumbai agreed that the tweet was a direct call to action for Shinde to change his mind and join the Fadnavis government as soon as possible.
What Happened in Talks?
Shinde had brought up the difficulty of his joining the government as deputy chief minister after serving as chief minister of the Mahayuti government during talks.
According to sources, Shah calmly informed him that even former chief minister Fadnavis had joined him as deputy and that Fadnavis had done so at the party’s request rather than on his own free will.
The BJP’s confidence stems from its numbers in the assembly: 132 members plus five independents, which, with Ajit’s backing, rises to a formidable 178—leaving the decision in Shinde’s hands.
On Saturday, NCP chief Ajit Pawar reaffirmed that the CM will be from the BJP and that there would be two deputy chief ministers: one from the Shiv Sena and one from the NCP.
However, according to a Sena official, the party will continue to demand the home portfolio and the continuation of all nine ministries it controlled in the Shinde-led government in addition to running for the position of deputy chief minister. These consist of the Departments of Industry and Urban Development.
In response to a question concerning Sena’s request for the home portfolio, Ajit Pawar stated, “The CM has the authority to choose portfolios. There is not a struggle over portfolios.
Sanjay Shirsat of the Shiv Sena defended the party’s demand. “The home ministry was given to the BJP while they became the deputy chief minister. Therefore, it is fair that we demand it. He asserted that a dashing leader in charge of the home department would deter rioting.
Ajit Pawar, Shinde and Fadnavis will meet in person before any formula is discussed, according to the Sena official, who also stated that there are no ongoing backchannel talks or negotiations with the BJP.
“Before the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, CM Shinde had made it clear he was wholeheartedly accepting of their decision on the next CM. In the Delhi meeting, no name for CM was announced. It was only indicated that the CM will be from the BJP. It was decided that the exact formula will be decided by CM Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in Mumbai and then reported to New Delhi. After CM Shinde’s return from Delhi, there has been no communication with BJP or NCP, and BJP hasn’t elected its own legislature party leader,” the Sena functionary said.
CM Shinde oversaw the Department of Urban Development in the outgoing government. Among others, Uday Samant served as minister of Industry, Tanaji Sawant oversaw Public Health and Family Welfare, Dada Bhuse oversaw Ports and Mines and Gulabrao Patil oversaw Water Supply and Sanitation.
The Sena functionary said, “Our ministers got only 2.5 years in this government, so they need more time to perform. Sena is clear on this. Whether CM Shinde is the DCM or he nominates someone else is his decision.”
Opposition Reacts
Uddhav Thackeray, the head of the Sena (UBT), stated, “They declared President’s rule prior to the formation of the MVA government. The Mahayuti government has yet to be established despite having such a huge majority. The assembly’s tenure is over. Why is the president’s rule not in effect yet? Thackeray took a dig at Shinde’s trip to his village in Satara on Friday.
“After such a massive majority, some people are going to their fields instead of Raj Bhavan,” he implied.
“Shinde appears uneasy, both mentally and physically,” stated Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. “He no longer has a smile on his face or a sparkle in his eyes. It seems as though something was given to him and then taken away.”
In response, Shirsat of the Shiv Sena said, “It’s obvious to us whose mental balance has been affected after this verdict.”
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