Maharashtra CM Oath Ceremony Live Updates: After over two weeks of intense negotiations, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is set to be sworn in as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister on Thursday in a grand ceremony at Azad Maidan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend.

Alongside Fadnavis, NCP leader Ajit Pawar and another deputy chief minister will also take the oath at the event in south Mumbai. However, uncertainty looms over including outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the new cabinet.

Fadnavis, 54, emerged as the top contender for the post following the BJP’s strong performance in the recent assembly elections, securing 132 seats in the 288-member legislature. This will be his third term as Maharashtra’s chief minister.

Fadnavis, joined by Shinde and Pawar, met with state Governor CP Radhakrishnan to formally stake claim to form the government on Wednesday, presenting letters of support from coalition partners, including the Shiv Sena and the NCP.

After the meeting, the governor invited Fadnavis to lead the new government. This is the third time that the BJP leader, an MLA from Nagpur, will be sworn in as chief minister of Maharashtra.

Addressing the potential inclusion of Shinde, Fadnavis expressed optimism, stating he had urged Shinde to join the government. Shinde, however, deferred any announcements regarding his role, promising updates later.

In a bid to reassure Shinde, Fadnavis told news agency PTI, “The Chief Minister’s post is a technical arrangement. All three of us will work together unitedly.” He also recounted details from a recent meeting with Shinde at the Chief Minister’s official residence, emphasising that both the Shiv Sena and Mahayuti members wish for Shinde’s involvement in the new government. “I have full faith that he will be with us,” he added.