Under Fadnavis' leadership, Maharashtra will be number one again: Gadkari

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said that Maharashtra will regain its position as the best state in the country under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, who is due to be sworn-in as the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister of the state later in the day.

"Today, the new government is taking oath and I am sure that under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra will be the number one state once again," said Gadkari, while launching the Electronic Toll Collection system for the Delhi-Mumbai Highway here.

"Mumbai, despite being the commercial capital of India is not in good condition. From the Centre, we will give full support to him. I am sure that under him, Maharashtra will rise up," he added.

Earlier in the day, Fadnavis, participating in the 'Run for Unity' marathon in the national capital, said that he was ready to take forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message of unity.

Maharashtra Governor CV Rao will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Fadnavis at a grand ceremony to be held at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium.

BJP leaders Eknath Khadse, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vinod Tawde, Pankaja Munde and Ashish Shelar are expected to be given important portfolios in the new state assembly.

Prime Minister Modi, several of his Cabinet colleagues and the Chief Ministers of all the BJP-ruled states are expected to attend the ceremony.