Maharashtra Govt Talks: Fadnavis Meets Shinde, Shinde Expected to Take Oath as Deputy CM

Mumbai - Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis met Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde at his official residence, ‘Varsha,’ on Tuesday evening, signaling that preparations for the oath-taking ceremony of Maharashtra’s new Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers are set to take place on Thursday at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

A senior BJP leader said, "Fadnavis will take oath as Chief Minister, alongside Shinde and NCP leader Ajit Pawar as Deputy Chief Ministers, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the grand event." The meeting between Fadnavis and Shinde, which lasted about 30 minutes, focused on finalizing the ceremony details. Discussions on the distribution of portfolios and Cabinet composition will take place in a separate meeting on Wednesday.

Sources indicated that after the BJP’s newly elected MLAs choose their legislature party leader on Wednesday, Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar will meet Maharashtra’s Governor to stake their claim to form the new government.

Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Vijay Rupani, along with two central observers for the BJP legislature party meeting, arrived in Mumbai late Tuesday. They are also expected to meet Shinde on Wednesday to discuss the final details of government formation.

Despite reports of tension over portfolio allocation, particularly concerning the Home Ministry, both BJP and Shiv Sena leaders have downplayed these differences. BJP leadership has reportedly been working to convince Shinde to accept the Deputy Chief Minister’s post. State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule emphasized that the Mahayuti government will be formed with the support of all alliance partners.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Kiran Pawaskar dismissed claims that Shinde was upset, calling them "baseless." He stated that Mahayuti leaders would hold another meeting on Wednesday to decide on Cabinet representation and portfolios.

In the days leading up to the meeting, the BJP had sent emissary Girish Mahajan to meet Shinde twice—once in Thane on Monday night and again at Varsha on Tuesday. This was followed by Fadnavis’s visit to reignite discussions on government formation and portfolio distribution. A joint inspection of the oath-taking venue was also conducted by representatives of the three Mahayuti allies earlier in the day.

Despite the focus on the upcoming oath-taking event, the allocation of key portfolios, especially the Home Ministry, has caused delays in finalizing the Cabinet. Sources suggest that while the oath-taking will proceed as scheduled, the final portfolio distribution will be resolved in the coming days.

Shinde had briefly retreated to his native village in Satara after returning from Delhi, citing health reasons. He later visited a hospital in Thane before resuming his official duties in Mumbai. On Tuesday, he chaired a meeting for preparations for the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar death anniversary event at Chaityabhoomi in Shivaji Park, with Fadnavis participating virtually.