CM will be from BJP, 2 deputy CMs from allies, says Ajit Pawar on Maharashtra govt formation

Ajit Pawar confirms BJP CM with Two Deputy CMs from Mahayuti, oath ceremony on December 5

NCP chief Ajit Pawar confirmed on Saturday that the next Maharashtra Chief Minister will be from the BJP, with two deputy chief ministers from the other Mahayuti constituents.

The Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP, achieved a decisive victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, with BJP winning 132 seats, Shiv Sena securing 57, and NCP taking 41 seats.

However, the formation of the government has been delayed, and uncertainty remains over the next CM.

Ajit Pawar met with 95-year-old social activist Dr Baba Adhav, who held a protest against the alleged misuse of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the recent Maharashtra assembly polls said, "The state will have one chief minister from BJP and two deputy chief ministers from the other two Mahayuti parties. The swearing-in ceremony is tentatively set for December 5, and we are moving forward with a strong vision."

BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule later confirmed that the Mahayuti government will be sworn in on December 5 at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.

While there was no announcement yet on who would be the chief minister, BJP sources said Devendra Fadnavis, who has been chief minister twice and was deputy CM in the last Eknath Shinde-led government, was the frontrunner for the top post.

Ajit Pawar is expected to serve as one of the deputy CMs.