Harshavardhan Patil attends swearing-in ceremony, meets Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the 21st Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday (December 5). Many dignitaries were present at the swearing-in ceremony. PM Narendra Modi was present.

NCP (SP) leader Harshavardhan Patil, who switched sides before the State Assembly elections, met Fadnavis. This triggered speculations in political circles.

Patil’s social media post

Harshavardhan Patil, in a social media post, congratulated the new Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers. His post stated: ‘Devendra Fadnavis swore in as the Chief Minister while Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar as the Deputy Chief Ministers today. I congratulate them. I wish that you will serve the people and will strengthen the State. I expect that decisions will be made in the interest of farmers, workers and youths. I convey my heartfelt good wishes to the CM and DyCMs’.

Patil’s visit to Fadnavis and his social media post led to speculations.

Crossing over to the NCP (SP)

Harshavardhan Patil, along with Bhagyashree Patil and Rajvardhan Patil, met Devendra Fadnavis. He did not get the BJP ticket for the State Assembly elections from Indapur. Therefore, he joined the NCP (SP). He was defeated in the polls. He was particularly given a prestigious position in the NCP (SP). Hence, his meeting with Fadnavis gave rise to discussions.

Devendra Fadnavis himself called up NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar and invited him for the swearing-in ceremony. However, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray stayed away from the programme.

Reacting to their absence, Fadnavis said that they might have had some personal reasons. However, Harshavardhan Patil, along with his family, attended the ceremony.