Eknath Shinde, the caretaker chief minister of Maharashtra, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, and NCP leader Ajit Pawar are scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi today. The leaders will finalize the power-sharing arrangement for the next Mahayuti government in Maharashtra.
This meeting comes after Shinde publicly declared his willingness to support the BJP leadership's decision on the chief ministerial post, effectively clearing the path for Fadnavis to lead the state.
Election Results and Power Distribution
The Mahayuti alliance won a total of 230 seats in Maharashtra's 288-member assembly. Of these, the BJP secured 132 seats, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 57, and the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, bagged 41 seats.
Oath Ceremony Likely on December 2
The new government is expected to be sworn in on December 2. Today’s meeting with Amit Shah is crucial, as it aims to finalize the exact distribution of power among the allies. An official announcement regarding the chief minister is expected following the BJP legislature party’s formal election of its leader in Mumbai on Friday.
The upcoming government is likely to retain the current structure, featuring one chief minister and two deputy chief ministers. Shinde had served with Fadnavis and Pawar as his deputies in the previous administration.
Distribution of Ministries
The distribution of 43 ministries among the alliance partners is also a key point of discussion in today’s meeting. Reports suggest that the BJP, having won 132 seats, may claim 22 ministerial positions, including the chief minister’s post. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena is expected to receive 12 ministries, while the NCP may secure 9 cabinet berths.
Schedule Adjustments and Key Attendees
The oath-taking ceremony on Monday aligns with the ongoing winter session of Parliament and the DG-IG conference in Bhubaneswar, scheduled from November 29 to December 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is participating in a roadshow in Bhubaneswar on November 29, and other senior BJP and NDA leaders are expected to attend the grand swearing-in ceremony.
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