BJP Appoints Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani as Maharashtra Central Observers
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a significant move by appointing Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as the party’s Central Observers for Maharashtra. This decision comes ahead of the Maharashtra Legislative Party’s crucial meeting where MLAs will elect their leader, who is expected to become the state’s next chief minister.
The Meeting and Oath-Taking Ceremony
Sources indicate that the legislature party meeting is set to take place on December 4 in Mumbai. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule has revealed that the oath-taking ceremony for the new Mahayuti government is scheduled for December 5 evening at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai. Despite the Mahayuti alliance’s resounding victory in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, the process of naming a new Chief Minister has been delayed.
Speculation and Support
While the BJP has not officially announced a candidate for the top position, former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is being viewed as a frontrunner. Caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has stated that the final decision lies with the BJP, and he has pledged full support to the chosen candidate. In the midst of rumors, Shiv Sena MP from Kalyan, Shrikant Shinde, has denied claims of him becoming the Deputy Chief Minister and clarified his intentions to focus on party organization rather than seeking a ministerial position.
Election Results and Alliance Performance
The Maharashtra Elections 2024 saw the Mahayuti alliance secure a significant victory, winning 230 out of the 288 assembly seats in the state. The BJP claimed 132 seats, while its allies Shiv Sena and NCP-Ajit Pawar won 57 and 41 seats respectively. The Maha Vikas Agahdi (MVA) faced a setback with the Shiv Sena (UBT) winning 20 seats, Congress 16, and NCP led by Sharad Pawar securing 10 seats.
This development sets the stage for a crucial decision-making process within the BJP and its alliance partners, as Maharashtra looks forward to a new leadership under the guidance of Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving political landscape.
