Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra in a grand ceremony at Mumbai's Azad Maidan. Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde and NCP's Ajit Pawar also took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers. This marks Fadnavis's third stint as CM, making him the youngest to hold the post in the state's history. The formation of the new government comes after weeks of negotiations and political turmoil in the aftermath of the state assembly elections.
Devendra Fadnavis Sworn In as Maharashtra's 18th Chief Minister
On November 28, 2019, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra in a grand ceremony at Mumbai's Azad Maidan. This marks Fadnavis's third stint as CM, making him the youngest to hold the post in the state's history. Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde and NCP's Ajit Pawar also took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers.
Background
The formation of the new government comes after weeks of negotiations and political turmoil in the aftermath of the state assembly elections held on October 21, 2019. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had won the highest number of seats but fell short of a majority, was initially reluctant to form an alliance with the Shiv Sena, its former ally. However, after the Shiv Sena threatened to support the NCP-Congress alliance, the BJP agreed to form a government with the support of independents and smaller parties.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Who is Devendra Fadnavis?
Devendra Fadnavis is a politician from the BJP. He has served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra since 2014 and is known for his pro-Hindutva views and his focus on infrastructure development.
2. Why did Fadnavis form an alliance with the Shiv Sena?
The BJP needed the support of the Shiv Sena to form a majority government in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena had won 56 seats in the state assembly, while the BJP had won 105 seats.
3. What is the significance of Fadnavis becoming the youngest CM of Maharashtra?
Fadnavis is 49 years old, making him the youngest person to ever hold the post of Chief Minister of Maharashtra. His age is seen as a symbol of change and hope for the state.
4. What are the challenges facing Fadnavis and the new government?
The new government faces several challenges, including the state's large fiscal deficit, the rising unemployment rate, and the ongoing farmers' protests.
5. What is the long-term outlook for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance?
The long-term outlook for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is uncertain. The two parties have a history of disagreement, and it is possible that they could break up in the future. However, the alliance will likely remain intact for the time being, as both parties need each other to maintain their power in Maharashtra.
Amid Uproar, Jaishankar Confirms India's Accessibility to Depsang and Demchok Patrolling Points after Disengagement with China The ongoing tension between India and China reached the parliament when Congress MP Manish Tewari questioned the accessibility of Indian patrolling points in Depsang and Demchok after recent disengagement. In response, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar clarified that after the understanding between the two countries, the Indian forces now have access to all patrolling points, including the historically disputed areas in Depsang. Additionally, Indian troops have reported that Chinese troops have withdrawn from the Depsang area, allowing Indian forces to patrol the Y Junction and Raki Nala as agreed upon in the meeting.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Gandhi family in a heated parliamentary debate on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution's adoption. He accused the Congress family for amending the Constitution 75 times in 55 years and defying the ideals of democracy and equality. PM Modi specifically called out former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for disrespecting the Constitution during the Emergency and for promoting the idea of a "Committed Judiciary". He stated that the Gandhi family's bad habit of changing the Constitution for their own interests has led to the neglect of fundamental rights and the oppression of innocent citizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on the Constitution during the Lok Sabha debate on Saturday sparked uproar in the Opposition benches. He accused the Nehru-Gandhi family of using the Constitution to suit their interests and claimed that his government's amendments were not for tightening their grip on power. In response, the AAP announced a special tribute on Monday to commemorate the December 16 gangrape and discuss crimes against women in Delhi in a "Mahila Adalat" format. Meanwhile, a Delhi court is expected to deliver its verdict in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots murder case involving former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar.
On December 16, India celebrates Vijay Diwas to honour the 1971 Indo-Pak war and pay tribute to the soldiers who fought for the nation's victory. The conflict was a response to Pakistan's genocide in East Pakistan and saw brave Indian soldiers sacrificing their lives for the cause of independence. With remarkable displays of strength and strategy, India emerged victorious and this day serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of the Indian armed forces.
On this Vijay Diwas, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh honored the brave soldiers who fought in the 1971 war, securing a historic victory for India and leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Their sacrifices and unyielding spirit continue to inspire generations and serve as a source of national pride. As the nation remembers and pays homage to the fallen heroes, political leaders reaffirmed the unwavering courage and dedication of India's armed forces.
A historian has written a letter to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, accusing Sonia Gandhi of removing important Nehru papers from the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in 2008. These papers include Nehru's correspondences with significant figures such as Edwina Mountbatten and Albert Einstein. The issue was allegedly discussed in the society's Annual General Meeting earlier this year, and the historian is seeking Rahul Gandhi's help in retrieving the documents. This comes after the PMML Society's term was extended, and the historian urges for the preservation of India's historical heritage.
In the recent expansion of the Shiv Sena cabinet, party chief and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde carefully balanced regional and caste considerations, as well as the upcoming civic polls. With a strong message to his party members, Shinde retained five ministers and dropped three, while also including six new faces, following a rotation policy for ministers. Despite controversy surrounding some of the dropped ministers, Shinde's focus was on expanding the party's reach across all five regions of the state.
Amidst ongoing controversy over the US presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump appointed Devin Nunes, the CEO of Truth Social, as the chairman of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board. Nunes' previous experience as the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and involvement in exposing Russian interference in the 2016 election were cited as qualifications for the role. The President's Intelligence Advisory Board provides independent advice to the President on the effectiveness and future plans of the country's intelligence community. In other news, Trump has also nominated Indian-American Harmeet Dhillon for a high-ranking position in the Department of Justice.
In a much-awaited cabinet expansion, the BJP-led Maharashtra government saw 39 new ministers being sworn in, taking its strength to 42. The coalition partners Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party received 11 and 9 ministerial berths respectively. This expansion marks the second time since 1991 that the swearing-in ceremony has been held in Nagpur, signalling the BJP's stronghold in the state. The move comes after the BJP and its allies secured a landslide victory in the state elections, gaining 235 Assembly seats.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to express his condolences for the passing of Shri SM Krishna, a well-respected leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka. Known for his dedication to improving the lives of others, Shri Krishna will be remembered for his focus on infrastructural development in the state. PM Modi also shared his personal interactions with the late leader, highlighting his profound impact and influence.