Maharashtra State elections have thrown up surprising results, results that have defied all opinion polls and even surprised the winning candidates. Normally, when politicians win, there is wild celebration, this time the celebrations were all but missing.
BJP won 132 seats out 149 that it contested. Eknath Shinde’s break away Shiv Sena won 57 seats out 81 that it contested and the big surprise was Ajit Pawar’s NCP that won 41 out of 59 that it contested. The opinion polls had given Ajit Pawar not more than 13 seats and some had predicted single digit seats for his party.
The government formation was to take place by 26th November but got delayed as the constituents of MahaYuti (BJP-Shinde Sena-Ajit NCP) bickered about ministries and decision on who will become the CM.
Finally, everything was resolved and Devendra Fadnavis took oath as CM, while Eknath Shinde had to take oath as Deputy CM (a climb down for him) and Ajit Pawar was more than happy to become the Deputy CM again.
The swearing in ceremony, attended by who’s-who of Maharashtra, was held on 5th December at Azad Maidain and graced by top leadership of BJP, including Modi and Shah.
