By – Shubhendra Singh Rajawat
Mumbai: Eleven days after the Mahayuti’s massive victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is set to take oath as the Chief Minister for the third time. The grand ceremony will take place this evening at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and at least 15 Chief Ministers from across India.
While the spotlight will be on Fadnavis, his Deputy Chief Ministers, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, are also expected to take their oaths. However, other cabinet ministers will not be sworn in during today’s event. The reason behind this decision has raised curiosity, and sources have provided significant insights into the strategy.
Event Details
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to begin at 3 PM, with the formal oath-taking process starting at 5 PM. Extensive arrangements have been made at Azad Maidan to ensure a smooth event. This ceremony marks the beginning of a new term for Fadnavis, who aims to deliver on the promises made during the election campaign.
Why Are Cabinet Ministers Missing from the Ceremony?
The delay in the swearing-in of other ministers stems from BJP’s insistence on maintaining a “clean and new” image for the government. According to sources, the BJP leadership has instructed its coalition partners, Shiv Sena and NCP, not to recommend legislators with tainted records or criminal backgrounds for ministerial positions.
A senior BJP leader stated that Devendra Fadnavis is keen on forming a cabinet with a fresh, corruption-free image to reinforce trust among voters and fulfill the promises made during the campaign. This directive has been endorsed by the BJP central leadership, signaling a clear intent to deliver transparent governance.
Tensions Within the Coalition
The decision to exclude certain leaders has reportedly caused friction within the Mahayuti alliance. Sources reveal that Fadnavis has already informed Eknath Shinde that three ministers from the Shiv Sena faction will not be considered for the new cabinet. Additionally, there are speculations that several prominent leaders from the previous administration may not find a place in the new cabinet.
This approach aligns with Fadnavis’s earlier tenure (2014–2019), during which he removed corrupt leaders from his cabinet to preserve the government’s reputation. The current strategy appears to be an extension of his commitment to ensuring clean governance.
Challenges of Forming a Clean Cabinet
The previous government saw all 28 ministers re-elected in the recent Assembly polls. Many of them aspire to reclaim their ministerial posts. However, under the “clean and new” criteria, several faces might be excluded, making it challenging for Fadnavis to balance coalition dynamics while upholding his standards.
Central Leadership’s Stamp of Approval
The BJP central leadership has firmly backed Fadnavis’s decision to prioritize a clean cabinet. The move is seen as crucial for delivering good governance and avoiding controversies that could tarnish the government’s image ahead of future elections.
Fadnavis is determined to avoid the pitfalls of including ministers with questionable records, as such individuals could hamper the administration’s performance and invite criticism from the opposition.
Looking Ahead
With Fadnavis poised to take charge alongside his two Deputy Chief Ministers, Maharashtra is set to embark on a new chapter. The final composition of the cabinet will reflect the BJP’s focus on delivering a transparent, performance-driven government. However, it remains to be seen how the coalition partners will react to these decisions and what adjustments will be made to accommodate their demands.
For now, all eyes are on today’s grand ceremony, which marks the beginning of a new term for Maharashtra’s leadership.