'Requested Shinde to...': What Maharashtra CM-elect Fadnavis said on ex-CM Eknath Shinde's role

After staking claim to form Mahayuti 2.0 in Maharashtra, CM-elect Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that he has 'requested' Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde to be a part of the new government, which will be sworn-in tomorrow.

Addressing the media after meeting Maharashtra governor, Fadnavis, 54, confirmed that the oath-taking ceremony will be held tomorrow, that is, December 5 at 5.30 PM.

The BJP leader also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present during at the ceremony tomorrow, where NCP chief Ajit Pawar and former CM Eknath Shinde, will also take oath. However, their role was not specified.


"Tomorrow in the presence of Narendra Modi ji, the swearing in will happen, we will inform you about the number of people who would be sworn in. We will take a joint decision, Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister is a technical arrangement amongst us, we are all together for the state's progress. I had met Eknath Shinde ji yesterday and told him to be a part of the government and that the Shiv Sena MLAs want him to be a part of the government. I am confident that we would get a favourable response from him," the 54-year-old leader said.

He also thanked his allies for presenting the letter of support to him after BJP elected him as the legislative leader of the party.

"The Governor has given us time of 5.30pm on fifth for the swearing in, we have given a letter of smaller parties like Jan Surajya party and other smaller parties, I thank Eknathji Shinde and Ajit Pawar of the NCP for giving a letter to the Governor for giving a letter to the Governor supporting me as the Chief Minister," Fadnavis said.

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising BJP, Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar led NCP, sweeped the Maharashtra elections held on November 20, with a massive 230 seats.

Meanwhile, Shinde, too, at the press conference congratulated Fadnavis' election as CM. On reporters' query that whether or not he would be part of the swearing in, Shinde said, "I will let you know in the evening (after talks between the three parties)."

BJP, Shinde Sena vs Uddhav Sena

The faction led by Eknath Shinde, who staged a dramatic rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, has been officially recognised by the Election Commission as the "real" Shiv Sena. With the support of 37 out of the 54 Sena MLAs, Shinde's defection reshaped the state's politics and ultimately led him to the chief minister's seat with the BJP's backing, especially Fadnavis', toppling the Uddhav-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

Later in early 2023, the Election Commission awarded Shinde's faction the iconic "bow and arrow" symbol, solidifying his claim as the true successor to Bal Thackeray's legacy.