Mahayuti likely to name Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra CM tomorrow

Fadnavis, the former chief minister, is likely to succeed Shinde as the head of the western state.

While caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis are still in Mumbai, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s Ajit Pawar flew to Delhi.

The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held on December 5.

Though he reiterated that it will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's choice on who would assume the chief minister's chair, Shinde reminded all as to why people back a "common man" like him for the top job.

Speaking to reporters, Shinde said on Sunday as quoted by The Indian Express, "I was the people’s chief minister. …Actually, I used to say that I was not just the chief minister but the common man. As a common man, I understood problems and pain suffered by the people and tried to address them. Since I worked as a common man, obviously people feel that I should become the chief minister."

"However, there should be no confusion… I held a press conference last week and clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah will take the decision regarding the chief minister’s post. My party Shiv Sena and myself will support their decision… There should be no ifs and buts in anyone’s mind," the Sena leader added, speaking at his native village of Dare in Satara district.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar, another ally in the Mahayuti which stormed back to power on November 23, on Sunday said the chief minister will be from the BJP, which has registered its best ever performance in the state.

"During the meeting in Delhi, it was decided that the Mahayuti will form the government with a BJP chief minister and deputy chief ministers from the remaining two parties," Pawar was quoted as saying by NDTV.

If Pawar's words come true, it would be a matter of time for former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to get the top post in the financial capital of the country.

Fadnavis, who remained the chief minister from 2014-2019, served as Shinde's deputy in the Mahayuti government.

While the BJP has yet to convene a meeting of its newly elected MLAs or name its legislature party leader, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony will take place on December 5 at 5 pm at Mumbai's Azad Maidan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the event.

The suspense over the CM's post started after the Mahayuti decimated the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the November 20 assembly elections.

Out of 230, the BJP dominated with a tremendous strike rate, winning 132, the highest ever by the saffron party in the state.