Workers build the stage at the Wankhede stadium for the swearing in ceremony to be held in Mumbai. (Press Trust of India)
The Shiv Sena, feeling spurned, will not be in the large audience today that will witness
Devendra Fadnavis take oath as the 27th chief minister of Maharashtra. But the party has wished Mr Fadnavis well and defended the lavish ceremony organized by his party, the BJP, at Mumbai's famous Wankhede Stadium. (
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The Sena said in its mouthpiece today, "It's laughable to hear criticism from those who supervised the loot of the state." That's in response to the Congress, which was trounced in the election and has censured the BJP for the pomp and splendor of today's event which has 30,000 invitees, a top Bollywood art director designing the sets, and huge LED screens to serve up images of Maharashtra's history and culture, along with that of the Prime Minister who will be present.
The BJP and the Shiv Sena snapped a 25-year alliance in September; in the election that followed, the BJP lassoed its best-ever result, but not an outright majority. The Sena placed second, but any plans to exploit the BJP's need for more seats were stultified with Sharad Pawar's party, the NCP, deftly offering external support to a minority government.
Since then, the Sena has been in line, hoping to be picked as the BJP's partner. Ahead of today's oath-taking by Mr Fadnavis, the Sena had asked for its leaders to be included in what is excepted by a compact cabinet. But the BJP refused, stating only that negotiations with the Sena continue.
Shiv Sena leaders said the "humiliation" of being excluded from the first edition of the new government make it impossible for their chief Uddhav Thackeray to attend today's proceedings.
The BJP has so far not ruled out teaming up with Mr Pawar's party; by refusing to accelerate its talks with the Sena, it is amplifying the message that while it would like to work with the Sena, it is willing to do without.