Members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) City and District units along with citizens celebrated Devendra Fadnavis’ appointment as the group leader of BJP Legislature Party of Maharashtra. With this, it has been confirmed that Fadnavis would return to the Chief Minister’s post for another term. The invitation to the swearing-in ceremony of Maharashtra’s new Government, to be graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was circulated on the social media since Wednesday afternoon. Fadnavis’ name on the invitation card as the Chief Minister made citizens rejoice. As the suspense over the post of Chief Minister ended, people took to the streets to celebrate the development in the State politics. The celebrations will continue as a jubilant programme has been organised at Laxminagar Square on Thursday. Former Mayor Sandip Joshi has appealed to citizens to reach the square at 5 pm to celebrate the glorious moment. Devendra Fadnavis will take oath as the Chief Minister at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

 

To let Nagpurians witness this historic moment, the swearing-in ceremony will be broadcast live on a big screen at Laxminagar Square from 5 pm onwards on Thursday. The celebrations will continue with distribution of sweets amidst fireworks and dhol-tasha performance. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has welcomed the announcement of the name of Devendra Fadnavis as the leader of State Legislature. He congratulated Fadnavis for his selection. In his tweet, Gadkari said, “I am confident that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra’s growth will get a new direction.” The BJP, at its Dhantoli office, celebrated the event. All the office-bearers of the party joined the celebrations that was held under the leadership of Bunty Kukde, President of city unit.

 

The sweets were distributed, all workers raised slogans in praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis. Party State Vice-President Sanjay Bhende, Vidarbha Organising Secretary Dr Upendra Kothekar, General Secretary Sandip Gavai, Vishnu Changde, Ashwini Jichkar, BJYM President Badal Raut, Women’s Wing President Pragati Patil, State Spokesperson Chandan Goswami and others also were present on the occasion. On Wednesday, the celebrations that began in the afternoon continued till night. People from all strata participated in the celebrations and rejoiced the announcement about Nagpur’s son becoming Chief Minister of the State again.

 

The move of BJP Central leadership was hailed by the people from other parties too. Some people expressed their feeling that the allegations and foul words used by the Opposition did not deter him and he emerged as a leader who not only steered the party, but MahaYuti to a grand victory. Adv Parineeta Fuke, wife of Dr Parinay Fuke, said, “His ‘sacrifice’ in 2022 when he accepted Deputy Chief Ministership gracefully and his hard work bore the fruits. Fadnavis fulfilled the promises made to the citizens, he fulfilled. He was targeted by the Opposition but he came out with flying colours,” added Fuke.