Kalidas Kolambkar, a nine-term MLA representing Wadala in Mumbai, took his oath as the pro-tem speaker at Maharashtra Raj Bhavan, with Governor CP Radhakrishnan administering the oath. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Friday in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The pro-tem speaker role is temporary, tasked with overseeing the proceedings of the assembly until the election of a permanent speaker. Kolambkar confirmed his appointment, saying, “The Chief Minister and the Deputy CM will decide on the cabinet ministers.”
The Maharashtra assembly’s three-day special session is set to begin on Saturday, December 7, with Kolambkar administering the oath to 288 newly elected MLAs. The election for the permanent speaker will take place on December 9, followed by a trust vote for the Mahayuti government, which was sworn in on December 5.
Governor and Key Figures Mark Mahaparinirvan Diwas
On Friday, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan offered prayers on the occasion of the 69th death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with other dignitaries, attended the event in Mumbai.
The expansion of the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government is expected between December 11 and 12. Sources indicate that Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is likely to retain the Finance portfolio, while the BJP is expected to continue holding the Home department, as in the previous Eknath Shinde-led government.
Reports suggest that Shiv Sena, under Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is pressing for the crucial Home portfolio from the BJP. The three Mahayuti allies are reportedly in discussions regarding portfolio allocation. Shinde, although initially reluctant to accept the deputy CM position, has remained firm in his demand for the Home department, which oversees the state police.
In the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition secured a dominant victory, winning 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP claimed 57 and 41 seats, respectively. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the alliance and sets the stage for the formation of the new state government.
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