BJP unanimously backs Devendra Fadnavis for Maharashtra CM, to be sworn in for second time on Dec 5

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis is all set to become Maharashtra chief minister for the second time as the party’s core committee finalised his name on Wednesday. Party’s central observer, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, announced the party has chosen Fadnavis's name for CM.

Putting an end to days of suspense, Fadnavis will be sworn in as chief minister for the second time on Thursday. Leaders of the Mahayuti alliance will meet Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan at 3.30pm on Wednesday and will stake claim for the formation of the government.

The BJP appointed Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani as central observers for its Maharashtra legislature party's meeting. Fadnavis was also present at the BJP's core committee meet. Fadnavis's name was unanimously chosen at the meeting.

As per reports, the earlier arrangement of a CM and two deputy CMs is likely to continue. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had said he wouldn’t be a hindrance in government formation and would accept any arrangement proposed by the central leadership of the BJP. While the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) faction is likely to get a deputy CM post, the party is eye home portfolio as well.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance won by a landslide in the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly polls, decimating the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. In the election held to 288-seat assembly, BJP alone won 132 seats and the alliance won 230 seats. Addressing the meeting, Fadnavis said he bows down before voters for giving this mandate.