Maharashtra: Devendra Fadnavis visits caretaker CM Eknath Shinde ahead of BJP’s key meeting amid next CM suspense | Mint

As suspense continues over who will become the next Maharashtra CM, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday evening visited Maharashtra caretaker CM Eknath Shinde’s official residence Varsha in south Mumbai.

The visit comes less than 24 hours before the key BJP meeting where the newly elected MLA will decide on the legislature party leader.

Following the meeting on Wednesday, central observers — Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupana — will announce the name of the Chief Minister.

Shinde, the Shiv Sena Chief and a key constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti, who has been unwell for the last few days amid reports of him being upset following Mahayuti leaders’ meeting in the national capital, visited a private hospital in Thane for a ‘check-up’ after returning from native village in Satara on Monday.

Reacting to the meeting between Fadnavis and Shinde, Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale said, “Devendra Fadnavis had come to meet Eknath Shinde to inquire about his ill health.”

However, when asked if the Sena chief would also take the oath, he added, “After a decision is taken, Eknath Shinde will take the oath.”

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, a two-time former chief minister, is being touted as the frontrunner for the top post. The legislature party of the state BJP will meet at Vidhan Bhawan on Wednesday morning to elect its leader. But there were indications that distribution of portfolios among the three allies might not be a smooth process.

Following Mahayuti’s landslide victory, the oath taking ceremony of chief minister is slated to take place at Azad Maidan on the evening of December 5. The preparations are in full swing for the ceremony, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about 2,000 VVIPs and some 40,000 supporters.

— The swearing-in ceremony will be a grand affair with nearly 42,000 attendees.

— PM Modi, nine to ten Union ministers, and 19 chief ministers and deputy chief ministers are likely to attend the ceremony.

— It will be telecast live across the state wherever LED screens are available.

— Separate seating arrangement made for 2,000 VVIPs

Will Uddhav Thackeray attend?

BJP leader Prasad Lad said that as a former chief minister, Thackeray will be invited by the General Administration Department as per the protocol. It is up to him to attend or to demonstrate his shallowness by skipping it. Similarly, Sharad Pawar, also a former chief minister, will be invited.