Wankhede ready for Maharashtra CM's mega swearing-in

Around 2,500 security personnel deployed at the venue

Mumbai's Wankehde stadium, where India won the World Cup in 2011, is ready for the swearing-in of chief minister-designate Devendra Fadnavis and his team. 

 

A special stage is constructed where state governor C Vidyasagar Rao will administer oath of office to Fadnavis and his team around 4:30 pm today.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed a record 27 rallies in Maharashtra prior to the polls, will be seated on a seperate stage along with BJP president Amit Shah and other party heavyweights.

 

BJP had earlier proposed Modi's speech at the venue. However, it has been cancelled considering protocols.

 

Under the supervision of Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, about 2,500 security personnel, including members from Mumbai Police, Special Protection Group (SPG) and Quick Response Teams, will maintain a strict vigil during the high-profile event, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dhananjay Kamalakar.

 

Immediately after taking oath, Fadnavis and his ministerial colleagues will visit the BJP headquarters situated in Nariman Point. 

 

Thereafter, Fadnavis and the ministers will visit Mantralaya, the state secretariat. He will chair a cabinet meet there and later address the media. 

 

About 35,000 people, mostly BJP members, representatives of political parties, industry and business, Bollywood stars and consulate generals are expected to attend the ceremony. VVIPs comprising Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, industrialists like Ratan Tata and the Ambani brothers are expected to attend the ceremony. 

 

A cultural programme titled "Marathi Bana" will start from 2 pm.

 

A massive LED screen will flash images will narrate a story that links Maharashtra's history to its contemporary culture. Bollywood art director Nitin Desai, who designed the sets for movies like Jodha Akbar and Devdas, is in charge of the production design for the entire event. 

 

BJP spokesman Atul Shah told Business Standard, "Nitin Desai's designs including Chhatrapati Shivaji's coronation will be displayed. In addition, 20 to 25 boats carrying lotus cutout are already anchored in the Arabean sea. These boats, which will be visible from the Marine Drive, are part of swearing in ceremony."

The famous Ajanta-Ellora caves will be another attraction at today's event.

List of BJP members to be sworn in today

Chief Minister : Devendra Fadnavis

Cabinet Ministrers : Eknath Khadse, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vinod Tawde, Pankaja Munde, Chandrakant dada Patil, Prakash Mehta, Vishnu Sawra.

Ministers of state : Dilip Kamble, Vidya Thakur

Industry’s expectations from Devendra Fadnavis led government in Maharashtra

Niranjan Hirandanni, who was present with his son Darshan, told Business Standard, “Mumbai has always been a preeminent city of India. What we want is infrastructure development with good governance. People are capable of doing other things."

VN Dhoot : We expect that the new government will bring back the previous glory of Maharashtra, wherein the state will be developed in such a way that people at the bottom of the pyramid will get the maximum benefit.


Wankhede ready for Maharashtra CM's mega swearing-in