Today in Politics: Devendra Fadnavis to take oath as Maharashtra CM, Ajit and Shinde to be his deputies

Hemant Soren Cabinet likely to be sworn in; Karnataka Congress to hold convention to “save Constitution” in Hassan

At the legislature party meeting held in Vidhan Bhawan, former Gujarat CM and BJP's central observer Vijay Rupani announced that Fadnavis (54) has been unanimously elected the BJP legislature party leader. (Express Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

Devendra Fadnavis will be sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister on Thursday, after Governor C P Radhakrishnan invited him to form the new government in the state.

Two deputy chief ministers, NCP leader Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, will also be sworn in at the ceremony at the sprawling Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on Thursday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In context: Ending over a week’s deadlock, a delegation of the ruling Mahayuti met the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, soon after Fadnavis was unanimously elected state BJP legislature party leader.

At the legislature party meeting held in Vidhan Bhawan, former Gujarat CM and BJP’s central observer Vijay Rupani announced that Fadnavis (54) has been unanimously elected the BJP legislature party leader.

Fadnavis thanked the BJP legislators for reposing trust in him, adding that the thumping victory of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the November 20 assembly elections was due to the mantra of “Ek hai toh safe hai” given by PM Modi.

Also Read | Devendra Fadnavis returns: From contested CM to no-contest leader

BJP leader Prasad Lad said 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 will attend the ceremony,” he said.

Jharkhand Cabinet to take oath

The council of ministers of the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand is likely to take oath on Thursday, a JMM leader said.

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Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the ministers at the Raj Bhavan here. “Eleven ministers of the JMM-led coalition government are likely to take oath on December 5,” the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader told PTI.

A Raj Bhavan source said the governor will first administer oath to Stephen Marandi as pro-tem Speaker at 12.30 pm, and will then start administering the oath of office and secrecy to the ministers at 12.35 pm.

Karnataka Congress convention in Hassan

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar last week said the Congress would hold a convention on Thursday at Hassan to protect the Constitution.

Speaking to reporters after a preparatory meeting at the KPCC office, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, said many leaders of the party have expressed their intention to hold the party convention in Hassan.

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All the ministers and district in-charges are making necessary preparations. Many organisations and communities have supported this event, he said.

“AICC leaders have directed us to organise a programme on protection of the Constitution and developments in the country. We held a preparatory meeting at KPCC office with the leaders and office bearers of four districts. All leaders of the party will be invited to the convention,” he added.

– With PTI inputs