Maharashtra Govt Formation Live Updates: Mahayuti Stamps Devendra Fadnavis As CM, Shinde & Pawar His Deputies

Maharashtra Government Formation Live: Follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates on the formation of new government in Maharashtra following assembly polls. Mahayuti leaders are set to meet the Governor at 3:30 pm on Wednesday to stake their claim to form the government, following the BJP’s legislative meeting earlier in the day.
Caretaker Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis met on Tuesday at the Varsha bungalow in Mumbai as discussions over the next Maharashtra Chief Minister entered the final stages. According to sources, the 30-minute meeting focused on preparations for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 5 December at Azad Maidan.
This marked Shinde’s first meeting with Fadnavis after recovering from illness. Shinde had been in his hometown Satara before returning to Mumbai on Monday. Earlier in the day, Shinde underwent a medical check-up at Thane’s Jupiter Hospital and assured the media that his health was fine.
Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale addressed media queries about Shinde’s role in the government formation, stating, “Devendra Fadnavis had come to meet him Eknath Shinde to inquire about his ill health. After a decision is taken, Eknath Shinde will take the oath.” Gogawale dismissed rumours of Shinde being upset, adding, “He had a meeting with the central leadership – Modi ji and Amit Shah, and there might be a meeting tomorrow as well. Decisions will be taken there (by PM Modi and Amit Shah). We are not adamant about any department.”
The race for the Chief Minister’s chair remains intense. While it is almost certain that Devendra Fadnavis will assume the CM’s role and Ajit Pawar the Deputy CM’s, the exact role of Shinde remains under negotiation. Sources reveal that the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is pushing for 12 key portfolios, including the Home and Urban Development Ministries. However, the BJP is reportedly reluctant to part with the Home Ministry, a portfolio historically contested by Shinde since his time in Uddhav Thackeray’s cabinet.
The NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, is also making strategic demands. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal highlighted the party’s “better strike rate” in the alliance as a basis for seeking an equal share of seats with Shinde’s Shiv Sena. “If we look at the strike rate in our alliance, BJP is at number one, Ajit Dada’s NCP is at number two, and the Shinde group is at number three. So our demand is that we should get as much space as them [Shinde Sena],” Bhujbal stated.
Ajit Pawar’s NCP, which won 41 out of 59 seats with a strike rate of 69.5%, is reportedly seeking 11 portfolios, including seven cabinet and two Minister of State posts, along with a Union cabinet position and a governor post in Delhi. BJP emerged as the biggest gainer in the polls with an 88.5% strike rate, winning 132 of the 148 seats it contested, while Shinde’s Shiv Sena achieved a 70.4% strike rate, securing 56 of 81 seats.
The oath-taking ceremony is set for December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present.