Maharashtra New CM 2024 Live Updates: Devendra Fadnavis' name finalised for Maharashtra CM's post, says BJP leader

Maharashtra New CM 2024 Live Updates: Caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde reiterated his unconditional support for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s decision on the Chief Ministerial candidate, following their historic victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Speaking in Satara, Shinde emphasized the alliance’s unity and credited their 2.5 years of governance for the decisive mandate, which left the opposition without even a Leader of the Opposition.

Shinde, recovering from a fever and taking a brief rest, stated, “I have already given my unconditional support to the party leadership, and I will stand by their decision.” He confirmed that the Chief Minister candidate would be announced on Monday.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar of the NCP clarified that the BJP would lead the government, with the other coalition leaders leaders securing deputy chief minister posts. Mahayuti leaders, including Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis—widely seen as the frontrunner—and Pawar, met BJP leadership in Delhi to finalize the decision.

In the results declared on November 23, the BJP won 132 seats in the 280-member Assembly, with Shiv Sena securing 57 seats and the NCP 41. The alliance’s leadership announcement is awaited.

10:12 (IST) Nov 30

Maharashtra New CM 2024 Live Updates: Shows internal contradictions within Mahayuti, says CPI leader D Raja amid suspense over Maharashtra CM face

As the Mahayuti has yet to declare the Chief Minister face of Maharashtra, CPI leader D Raja on Friday expressed concern, stating that while the people have given their verdict in favour of the BJP and its allies, they are not able to choose their leader. He described this as a sign of internal contradictions within the BJP and its allies.

Raja attributed the situation to "ideological, political, or personality problems" among the Mahayuti allies, calling it a matter of concern.

He attributed this situation as a "matter of concern" and said that this situation shows there are problems among the allies of Mahayuti, whether they are ideological, political or personality problems.

10:11 (IST) Nov 30

Maharashtra New CM 2024 Live Updates: Shiv Sena should get home portfolio in new Maharashtra govt, says party leader Shirsat

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat on Saturday insisted that the party must get the crucial home department in the new Maharashtra government and claimed attempts were being made to sideline caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Talking to PTI, Shirsat said considering Shinde's positive image and the schemes he rolled out, he would have contributed more if he had gotten two and half years more as the CM.'

"The home department should be with the party (Shiv Sena). The department is (usually) with the deputy chief minister. It would not be right if the chief minister heads the home department," said the MLA who represents the Aurangabad West assembly seat.

Devendra Fadnavis holds the home portfolio in the outgoing government.

Shirsat's remarks indicate fissures that have developed among Mahayuti allies, the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP, who put up a stellar performance in the recently held Maharashtra state polls by winning 230 out of 288 assembly seats.

10:11 (IST) Nov 30

Maharashtra New CM 2024 Live Updates: Cong flags with EC 'serious inconsistencies' in polling, counting processes in polls

The Congress on Friday raised with the Election Commission "serious and grave inconsistencies" which it said were being revealed in the data relating to the polling and counting processes for the recently-concluded Maharashtra Assembly polls and sought an in-person hearing to present relevant evidence.

In a memorandum to the poll panel, AICC Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole and AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik said "these glaring inconsistencies" which strike at the very root of a transparent, free and fair electoral system are not based on any biased motives or far-fetched presumptions but have been extracted from the information made publicly available by the Commission.

Sharing the memorandum on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the leaders have raised serious issues which are being discussed in the public domain.

They have asked the Election Commission (EC) for an in-person hearing to present the relevant evidence and raise constituency-wise issues as well, he said.

10:11 (IST) Nov 30

Maharashtra New CM 2024 Live Updates: Maharashtra assembly to have 78 first-time MLAs

Seventy-eight first-time poll winners will enter the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, comprising about 27 per cent of its strength. Of these, 33 are from the BJP, 14 from the Shiv Sena and eight from the NCP.

While the Shiv Sena (UBT) has 10 newcomers, six such MLA-elects are from the Congress and four from the NCP (SP).

There are two first-time assembly poll winners from smaller parties, while an independent candidate will also make his debut in the House.

First-timers bagged nine of Mumbai's 36 seats this time.

These include Sena (UBT) candidates Mahesh Sawant, who defeated MNS chief Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray and sitting Shiv Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar in Mahim, and Varun Desai, who trounced Zeeshan Siddique of NCP in Vandre East.

10:11 (IST) Nov 30

Maharashtra New CM 2024 Live Updates: After Delhi, focus on Mumbai for Maharashtra govt formation

Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis returned to Mumbai on Friday morning after the two and NCP's Ajit Pawar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah over Maharashtra government formation.

Talking to reporters in Delhi past Thursday midnight, Shinde called the discussions "good and positive". He said their next meeting will take place in Mumbai on Friday.

The meeting is expected later in the day but nothing has been scheduled as of now, sources said. Ajit Pawar is expected to return to Mumbai in the afternoon. The BJP is yet to convene its legislature party meeting.

Maharashtra New CM 2024 Live Updates: The caretaker chief minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde said that the new CM will be named on Monday following the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's historic election victory. Shinde reiterated his unconditional support for the BJP’s candidate and emphasized unity among alliance partners. Shinde, recovering from a fever, praised the Mahayuti government’s work over the past 2.5 years. NCP Chief Ajit Pawar confirmed the BJP will hold the Chief Minister’s post, while Shiv Sena and NCP leaders will serve as Deputy Chief Ministers.