As suspense continues over who will become the next Maharashtra CM, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday evening visited caretaker CM Eknath Shinde at his official residence Varsha in south Mumbai.

The visit comes less than 24 hours before the key BJP meeting where the newly elected MLAs will decide on the legislature party leader.

Following the meeting on Wednesday, central observers — Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupana — will announce the name of the Chief Minister.

Shinde, the Shiv Sena Chief and a key constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti, who has been unwell for the last few days amid reports of him being upset following Mahayuti leaders’ meeting in the national capital, visited a private hospital in Thane for a ‘check-up’ after returning from native village in Satara on Monday.

Reacting to the meeting between Fadnavis and Shinde, Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale said, “Devendra Fadnavis had come to meet Eknath Shinde to inquire about his ill health.”

However, when asked if the Sena chief would also take the oath, he added, “After a decision is taken, Eknath Shinde will take the oath.”

Who will become CM?

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, a two-time former chief minister, is being touted as the frontrunner for the top post. However, distribution of portfolios among the three allies might not be a smooth process as Shiv Sena leaders have been demanding Home portfolio.

Shinde reiterates support

On Monday, Eknath Shinde once again made it clear that he won’t be an obstacle in BJP getting the chief minister’s post.

“I have already given my unconditional support to the party leadership and I will support their decision. The government will be formed, and there won’t be any issues. There is coordination between all three parties,” said Shinde.

Oath taking ceremony

The oath taking ceremony of chief minister is slated to take place at Azad Maidan on the evening of December 5. The ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Seats Mahayuti Alliance Won

The Mahayuti won 230 of the 288 assembly seats. The BJP led with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena got 57 and the NCP 41 seats.

Who all will attend?

— The swearing-in ceremony will be a grand affair with nearly 42,000 attendees.

— PM Modi, nine to ten Union ministers, and 19 chief ministers and deputy chief ministers are likely to attend the ceremony.

— It will be telecast live across the state wherever LED screens are available.

— Separate seating arrangement made for 2,000 VVIPs

Will Uddhav Thackeray attend?

Former chief minister, and Shiv Sena UBT chief Thackeray will be invited by the General Administration Department as per the protocol, said BJP leader Prasad Lad while speaking to PTI.

He added that it is up to him to attend or to demonstrate his shallowness by skipping.

Maharashtra government formation: The suspense over who will become Maharashtra’s next chief minister will end in the next 48 hours as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to elect its legislature party leader.

The name of the CM candidate will be announced on December 4, on the eve of the swearing-in ceremony of the Mahayuti government.

However, even though any formal announcement has not been made, a according to a senior BJP leader’s claim, Devendra Fadnavis’ name has been finalised for the CM’s post.

Whereas, Mahayuti allies — Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party — are each likely to get deputy CM positions.

Another Term For Fadnavis?

Fadnavis was deputy CM in the outgoing Eknath Shinde-led government. He has served as chief minister twice. However, the second stint lasted for a few days. Fadnavis is the second person after Vasantrao Naik to complete a full tenure as CM.

Shrikant Shinde To Be Deputy CM?

Eknath Shinde’s son and Shiv Sena MP Srikant Shinde said the speculation about him getting the deputy CM’s post in the new state government were false and baseless.

“The news that I will be the deputy chief minister has been circulating with question marks for the past two days. There is no truth to this, and all such news are baseless,” the Kalyan MP said on X.

He said despite an opportunity to become a minister in the central government after the Lok Sabha elections, he had turned it down to focus on strengthening the party organisation.

“I have no desire for a position of power. I make it clear once again that I am not in the race for any ministerial position in the state,” he added.

Shinde Claims ‘All Is Well’, Reiterates Support To BJP Leadership

The caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde has already made it clear that he will not come in the way of BJP getting the chief minister’s post.

“I have already given my unconditional support to the party leadership and I will support their decision. Government will be formed, and there won’t be any issues. There is coordination between all three parties. More than what we get, our aim will be to give more to the people of Maharashtra,” Shinde said on Sunday, while speaking to media in Satara.

BJP Legislature Party Meeting

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani have been named as central observers for its Maharashtra legislature party’s meeting, where the MLAs will elect their leader.

Observers to announce name of next CM

A BJP functionery told PTI that Rupani and Sitharaman would meet the party’s elected representatives in Mumbai on Wednesday. Following this meeting, the chosen candidate’s name will be relayed to senior leaders in Delhi. These observers will then announce the elected leader of the BJP, who is set to be the next chief minister.

Swearing-in ceremony

The BJP has announced that the new chief minister will take oath on December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders.

Seats Mahayuti Alliance Won

The Mahayuti won 230 of the 288 assembly seats. The BJP led with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena got 57 and NCP 41 seats.