Bollywood to meet BJP at swearing-in event; Art director Nitin Desai to design stage, entrance of Wankhede
Devendra Fadnavis, the newly elected legislative party leader of the BJP, met Vidyasagar Rao, governor of Maharashtra, and formally staked the party's claim to form the BJP government in the state.
Governor Rao has appointed him as CM and asked him to prove his majority on the floor of the House within 15 days.
The election of Fadnavis was however not without its moments of high drama. Eknath Khadse, senior BJP leader and core committee member, insisted that he was still in the race. This created a last-minute tension among the central leadership. Khadse was later pacified. Fadnavis, 44, was elected by the 123 MLAs of BJP held on the 10th floor of Vidhan Bhavan. Interestingly, Eknath Khadse was asked to propose the name of Fadnavis for the leader's post, which was seconded by Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vinod Tawde and Pankaja Munde. Interestingly, all these leaders had pitched their claim for the CM's post during the last week.
Will Fadanavis have a smooth run?
Unlikely. First he has to take care of the dissent within the party. Khadse is likely to be a thorn in his side. On Tuesday a visibly upset Khadse publicly announced to the media: "Yes I am in the race for the CM's post. But I will honour the decision of the party. I am happy with the fact that BJP is forming the government on it's own." Also Fadnavis has to constantly look over his shoulder for the Shiv Sena moves and the NCP plans. Both his allies are unreliable from the BJP viewpoint. The new government will be sworn in at a ceremony at Wankhede Stadium on October 31 in the presence of PM Narendra Modi.
What does Fadnavis bring to the table?
In a state dominated by Maratha and OBC politics and politicians, Fadnavis is the second Brahmin after Shiv Sena's Manohar Joshi to become chief minister. After his election as CM, Fadnavis said: "The BJP government in Maharashtra will be a government of the people and together we all will take the state towards development and progress. We will run the government on the path shown by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and according to the Constitution framed by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar." Fadnavis also remembered Gopinath Munde. .
What are the details of the swearing-in ceremony?
The entire show at Wankhede will be handled by Nitin Desai, the well-known Bollywood art director. The stage will have grand but tasteful depiction of Maharashtra's culture and traditions. Even the gates will be designed depicting motifs from the state's rich culture and history. The look and feel of the event will be Desai' s work. Being a stadium the BJP could not resist the idea of a victory lap. After the PM leaves the venue, the CM and members of the cabinet will go around the stadium accepting the greetings of what is expected to be a gathering of more than 30,000. Bollywood stars and celebrities are expected to occupy VIP seats in the stadium.
What about the Shiv Sena?
No formal talks have started yet with estranged former ally Shiv Sena, which has expressed the desire to be part of a BJP-led coalition government. By keeping the Sena waiting, the BJP hopes to soften them up and finally satisfy them with minor portfolios.
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