Wed Dec 04 20:33:45 UTC 2024: ## Devendra Fadnavis Sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister in Surprise Coalition
**Mumbai, December 5, 2023** – In a stunning political development, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday evening. The unexpected coalition government includes the BJP, along with support from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, and the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena.
Fadnavis announced the formation of the government following a meeting with Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan. The BJP secured support from several smaller parties including the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, Jansurajya Shakti Party, and independent MLAs, including Ravi Rana, husband of BJP leader Navneet Rana.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other prominent BJP leaders and Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states. A massive security operation involving 4,000 personnel was deployed for the event.
While Fadnavis described his position as a “technical arrangement,” he emphasized the coalition’s commitment to working together. He will be joined by two deputy chief ministers, who were also sworn in. Although Ajit Pawar joined the coalition, Eknath Shinde’s role in the new government remains unclear, although he stated that the coalition will work as a team. The BJP secured the support to form the government after a core committee meeting where Fadnavis was elected as the legislative party leader. The Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition secured a significant majority in the 288-member assembly.
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