Mahayuti swearing-in to be held on Dec 5

The Mahayuti alliance, which recently achieved a resounding victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, is set to begin its tenure with a grand swearing-in ceremony on December 5 at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the event, which is expected to draw prominent leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and key members of the NDA coalition. Despite the celebratory occasion, the alliance is grappling with internal power-sharing disputes, particularly between the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, leaving the final leadership structure unresolved.

The BJP unilaterally announced the date and venue for the ceremony, reportedly catching its allies off guard. While state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule shared the event details on social media, Shiv Sena leaders expressed dissatisfaction, noting that such decisions should have been made collectively by Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar. Although the ceremony plans are progressing, the absence of a formal announcement regarding the chief minister has added to the speculation.

Outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reportedly conceded the top position, aligning with BJP preferences. While the BJP has offered Shinde the role of deputy chief minister, he is pushing for the influential Home Department portfolio, which the party has declined. Shinde’s sudden departure to his hometown in Satara over the weekend further delayed discussions on government formation. His party cited health concerns, including fever and a throat infection, while political rivals speculated that his retreat may be linked to dissatisfaction over the evolving power dynamics.

Meanwhile, the BJP is navigating internal deliberations to finalize its leadership structure and cabinet allocations. Party leaders, including national general secretary Vinod Tawde, have been consulting with president J.P. Nadda. Concerns have been raised about replacing a Maratha chief minister with a Brahmin leader, potentially creating political ripples in the region.

Despite these challenges, administrative preparations for governance are in full swing. The Winter Session of the state legislature is scheduled from December 16 to 24 in Nagpur, prompting local authorities, including the legislature secretariat and police, to begin organizing the session's logistics. As the Mahayuti government prepares to take office, the unresolved disputes over portfolios and leadership roles continue to dominate political discussions. The coalition’s ability to resolve these issues amicably will be critical in shaping its governance and maintaining stability in Maharashtra’s political landscape.