Massive Attendance Expected at MahaYuti's Swearing-In Ceremony with 40,000 Participants

Mumbai, Dec 3 (NationPress) The BJP, having risen as the dominant force by winning 132 seats in the MahaYuti, is gearing up for a lavish swearing-in ceremony for the Maharashtra Cabinet scheduled for December 5.

The BJP is taking proactive steps in its organizational efforts, even before the MahaYuti formally asserts its claim to govern.

The swearing-in event will feature high-profile attendees including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and approximately nine to ten other union ministers such as Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, and Shivraj Chauhan, along with 19 chief ministers from BJP-ruled states and NDA partners. The BJP national president JP Nadda is also set to be present.

The party anticipates an attendance of around 40,000 to 50,000 people at the ceremony, which will take place at the Azad Maidan near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in South Mumbai.

BJP legislator Prasad Lad, a close associate of Devendra Fadnavis, mentioned that approximately 10,000 devoted supporters (Ladki Bahin) and 2,000 farmers are expected to be in attendance.

"Members of cooperative societies have significantly contributed to the BJP and MahaYuti's success, so about 5,000 chairpersons and secretaries from these societies will also be part of the ceremony," he stated.

He also shared that special arrangements are being made for about 2,000 VVIPs and VIPs.

"The swearing-in ceremony will be broadcast live and will be viewable on LED screens at bus stops, theaters, and major locations throughout Maharashtra," he added.

Invitations are being extended to prominent politicians such as Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and notable industrialists like Mukesh Ambani.

Nearly 100 saints, influencers, professionals including doctors and chartered accountants, as well as Bollywood and Marathi film stars are also on the guest list for the swearing-in event.

A senior BJP leader revealed that around 10,000 party workers will don T-shirts featuring the slogan 'Ek Hai To Safe Hai', while Marathi and Hindi singers will perform at the venue.

The police have enhanced security measures around the venue and throughout Mumbai to ensure the smooth conduct of the swearing-in ceremony, which involves a significant gathering of attendees.

Leaders from MahaYuti, including state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule and party legislator Praveen Darekar, along with Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Shirsat and NCP ministers Hasan Mushrif and Dhananjay Munde, visited Azad Maidan on Tuesday to assess the preparations for the swearing-in ceremony.

Meanwhile, the BJP is expected to elect its legislature party group leader during a meeting of legislators on Wednesday. The BJP, in conjunction with Shiv Sena and NCP, will subsequently claim the government formation with state Governor CP Radhakrishnan. Following this, the Governor will formally invite the MahaYuti to establish the government after confirming the signatures of the legislators.

Sources indicate that caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde, alongside Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, is expected to convene on Tuesday night or Wednesday to finalize the allocation of cabinet positions among the three parties and the distribution of ministries.

Shinde has yet to reveal his intentions regarding his role in the government as Deputy Chief Minister, as he is also advocating for the Home Department.

(Sanjay Jog can be reached at sanjay.j@ians.in)