Maharashtra CM to be from BJP, says alliance partner Ajit Pawar

The alliance includes Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the BJP.

In the recent state elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena secured 57 and the NCP 41, giving the alliance a commanding majority of 230 seats in the 288-member assembly, well above the 145-seat threshold.

"During the meeting in Delhi, it was decided that the Mahayuti will form the government with a BJP Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers from the remaining two parties," Pawar was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Addressing the delay in government formation after the Maharashtra Assembly’s term ended on November 26, Pawar remarked, "This is not the first time there has been a delay... In 1999, it took a month to form the government."

While the BJP has yet to convene a meeting of its newly elected MLAs or name its legislature party leader, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed today that the swearing-in ceremony will take place on December 5 at 5 pm at Mumbai's Azad Maidan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the event.

Outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who earlier said he would not be an "obstacle" and would defer to the BJP's central leadership, has effectively cleared the path for Devendra Fadnavis, a former Chief Minister, to return to the role unless the BJP opts for a new face.