11 hours Ago By TOI News Desk
File photo: PTI NEW DELHI: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is set to take oath as the chief minister of Maharashtra for the third time after he was unanimously elected as the BJP legislature party leader at meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held on December 5. The BJP emerged victorious in Maharashtra elections, winning 132 out of 288 assembly seats.
With its allies, including the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar's NCP, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition now holds a commanding majority of 230 seats. From 2nd youngest mayor in country to CM chair Fadnavis began his political career in 1992 when he was elected as a Councilor at the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, serving two consecutive terms. He holds the distinction of being the second youngest Mayor in India and the youngest Mayor of Nagpur.
He was also elected as the Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) for five consecutive terms. He went on to be the first CM of Maharashtra to complete a full single term in last 47 years and only the second one in the state's history. When Fadnavis became CM for 80 hours His first term as chief minister in 2014 marked a historic moment when the BJP formed a coalition government with the undivided Shiv Sena.
However, following the 2019 elections, the Shiv Sena withdrew from the alliance, sparking a political crisis. During this turmoil, Fadnavis briefly led a government in November 2019, forming a partnership with Ajit Pawar, who became deputy CM. This government lasted only 80 hours, as Ajit Pawar returned to the NCP, causing the government to collapse and leading to the formation of a new coalition under Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.
He served as the deputy CM in the Eknath Shinde-government..
