Devendra Fadnavis' grand oath ceremony in Maharashtra: Guest list to security arrangements - All you need to know

Devendra Fadnavis is set to take oath as Maharashtra CM at 5.30 PM today. (X/Devendra Fadnavis)

Devendra Fadnavis will take oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time on Thursday, ending over 12 days of speculation and intense negotiations among the Mahayuti partners over the top post. Fadnavis, who was elected BJP legislature party leader on Wednesday, will be sworn-in at a grand ceremony in Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.

In addition to Fadnavis, two deputy chief ministers, including NCP leader Ajit Pawar, will also take their oaths during the event in south Mumbai. While the formation of the government under Fadnavis is confirmed, there is no clarity yet on whether outgoing chief minister and Shiv Sena supremo Eknath Shinde will be part of it.

Fadnavis, 54, emerged as the frontrunner for the coveted post following the BJP's strong showing in the recent assembly elections, securing 132 seats in the 288-member house. On Wednesday, he met Governor CP Radhakrishnan and formally staked claim to form the government, presenting letters of support from coalition partners, including the Shiv Sena and the NCP. He was accompanied by Shinde and Pawar.

Devendra Fadnavis swearing-in ceremony: Special Arrangements

The swearing-in ceremony of the Mahayuti government is set to be a grand affair with nearly 42,000 attendees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be among over 2,000 VVIPs who will grace the occasion.

"PM Modi, nine to ten Union ministers, and 19 chief ministers and deputy chief ministers will attend the ceremony," BJP leader Prasad Lad said.

Special arrangements have also been made to accommodate 40,000 BJP supporters and a separate seating arrangement made for 2,000 VVIPs, including leaders from various religions.
More than 4,000 police personnel have been deployed for security during the swearing-in ceremony, PTI quoted an official as saying.

At least 3,500 police personnel and 520 officers have been deployed for security arrangements, the official said.

A platoon of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), and Quick Response Team (QRT), Riots Control Team, Delta, Combat teams and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad have also been deployed, he said.

Security arrangements have also been made considering the traffic congestion on roads leading to Azad Maidan, and 280 personnel of the traffic wing, including senior police officials, will ensure smooth vehicular movement, he said.

Devendra Fadnavis oath ceremony: Guest List

The swearing-in of the Devendra Fadnavis government will see 1,000 beneficiaries of Maharashtra’s flagship ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme in attendance and invitations were sent out to them well ahead of the ceremony. The ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme has been touted as one of the major contributing factors to the Mahayuti’s landslide win in the 2024 assembly elections.

Here’s the full list of guests expected to attend the grand event:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah
BJP national president JP Nadda
Chief ministers/deputy CMs of all NDA-ruled states
Union Ministers
Sadhus and saints
1,000 beneficiaries of ‘Ladki Bahin’
Farmer beneficiaries
Prominent personalities from industry, Bollywood, academics, and literature
Karyakartas of all Mahayuti constituents — BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP

Maharashtra government formation

On Wednesday, the Maharashtra governor extended an invitation for Devendra Fadnavis to lead the new government. This is for the third time that the Nagpur MLA will be sworn-in as chief minister of Maharashtra.

While Fadnavis expressed hope for Shinde's participation in the new government, stating he had requested that Shinde join, Shinde refused to divulge his decision on his role. "The Chief Minister's post is a technical arrangement. All three of us will work together unitedly," Fadnavis told Shinde in a bid to reassure Shinde. "I have full faith that he will be with us," he added.

The BJP achieved remarkable success in the November 20 Maharashtra elections, securing 132 out of the 288 assembly seats in the state, marking its best performance in the state so far. Together with its allies Shiv Sena and NCP, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition has a commanding majority of 230 seats