Amid indications that the swearing-in ceremony of the Bharatiya Janata party-led MahaYuti government may take place on December 5, the ruling BJP and its allies, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-headed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), were on Saturday engaged in backroom negotiations over the power-sharing formula and distribution of portfolios.
"We expect that the swearing- in ceremony of the new government will take place on December 5," BJP leader and former Speaker in the state Assembly Rahul Narwerkar said.
However, informed sources in Raj Bhavan said that they had not received any communication from the Maharashtra government or the leaders of BJP-led MahaYuti as to when the swearing-in was being scheduled.
Meanwhile, available indications within the Shiv Sena (ES) suggested that the care-take chief minister Eknath Shinde may return to the state capital late on Sunday night or on Monday. The earlier speculation was that the swearing-in ceremony would be held at Wankhede stadium. Now, the ruling alliance leaders are indicating that the swearing-in may be held at Azad Maidan.
Though there was no confirmation from the ruling BJP as to when it would hold its legislature party meeting to elect its leader who would take over as the chief minister of the state, a few BJP leaders indicated that the JP Nadda-led party may schedule the BJP Legislature Party (BJPLP) meeting on Monday.
The front-runner for the Chief Minister's post is Devendra Fadnavis. However, what has surprised many is that if Fadnavis is the chief ministerial choice, why has there been such a delay in convening the BJPLP meeting.
In the Maharashtra Assembly polls, results of which were declared on Saturday last (November 23), the BJP won 132 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP (AP) bagged 57, and 41 seats, respectively. Strangely enough, it is not known yet as to what transpired at a joint meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah had convened at his New Delhi residence to formalise details about the government formation, including the choice of the chief minister. Health and Family Welfare Minister and BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda was also present at this meeting.
