Mumbai: Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday. This marks his third term as CM. Along with him, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, who will serve as Deputy Chief Ministers, also took their oaths.
All three leaders were sworn in by Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan. After taking his oath, Fadnavis sought the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ceremony, held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of Union cabinet, chief ministers of NDA-ruled states, prominent businessmen, artists and other dignitaries.
Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as CM for 3rd time
Eleven days after the Maharashtra assembly election results, a new government was formed in the state. Devendra Fadnavis was chosen as its head, while Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and NCP leader Ajit Pawar assumed the roles of Deputy Chief Ministers.
Devendra Fadnavis, an MLA from Nagpur South, is serving as Chief Minister for the third time. He first became CM in 2014 and held the post briefly again after the 2019 elections. Following the formation of the Mahayuti alliance, Eknath Shinde became CM, and Fadnavis took on the role of Deputy CM in 2023.
Eknath Shinde, a five-time MLA, was sworn in as Deputy CM and will hold the second position in the Maharashtra government. This time, Shinde was elected from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency. Previously, he served as Chief Minister after the Mahayuti coalition government was formed in June 2023.
NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who has been an MLA for 33 years and a one-time MP, also took the oath as Deputy CM. This marks his sixth term as Deputy CM. After taking the oath, Pawar greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
All three leaders of Mahayuti together on stage
During the oath-taking ceremony, the three leaders of the Mahayuti alliance—Fadnavis, Shinde and Pawar—arrived together on the stage at Azad Maidan and greeted the dignitaries present. Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde stood prominently on stage and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bala Saheb Thackeray and Amit Shah before taking his oath.
At present, only CM Devendra Fadnavis and senior leaders of the Mahayuti have been sworn in. It is expected that the cabinet will be expanded within a week. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has stated that ministers from Mahayuti’s allied parties will also take their oaths within the coming week.
