The ‘Aftermath’ of the swearing-in ceremony!
A grand event of the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister took place at the Azad Maidan of Mumbai on the 5th of December, where people from every strata of the society came in huge numbers and blessed MahaYuti. The event was the grandest of all. After all, everyone’s ‘hero’ was becoming the Chief Minister. Everyone who wanted a progressive and a secured Maharashtra did their bit for making the Mahayuti win in some or the other way, some of us like me and my father did through our writings and videos. Many ask me why you and your father side DF so much, I look into their eyes and say, “Bring me a better leader then Devendra Fadnavis” and I will change my mind!
Now the aftermath…
We all heard the famous Press Conference of Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar at the Raj Bhavan before the swearing-in ceremony took place, where jokes and jibes were taken on each other by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. When these 3 were asked who all will be swearing-in as there is a lot of confusion, Ajit was quick to add, that no matter who takes it or not, I will surely take the oath as DCM, to which Shinde was quick to respond to Pawar and reminded everyone that ‘Dada’ is used to take oaths in the evenings and early mornings as well. There was laughter in the room with this comment from Shinde, but no media carried the most important statement made by Ajit Dada after this jibe! He said, years ago when we both (Himself and Fadnavis ) had done the swearing-in early morning and formed a 3 day Government, we couldn’t do much, but if it has to happen again, there will be no issue to continue the government for 5 years. Yes, he said, hear it again! What an important statement and the timing was just superb… I am really surprised how the mainstream media missed it. If you recollect from the day results were declared, Eknath Shinde was in a different mood till the swearing-in ceremony. Yes, there was confusion in everyone’s mind. Every one whosoever I met including a few Ministers in the past government, told me that by this behaviour in the last 3/4 days Shinde has lost everything that he achieved as the CM in the last 2.5 years. Pawar’s statement that he and DF will run it for 5 years, was a big hint to Shinde, if you ask me! Yes, the message before the swearing-in ceremony at this press conference was very subtly given to Shinde, and that too, by Ajit Pawar..With you or without you!! But then, Shinde came and got sworn as the DCM. All is well, that ends well.
Now, if you remember, Devendra Fadnavis’s life really gets disturbed when he is about to swear-in as the Chief Minister. In 2014 too, there was one ‘Eknath’ (Khadse) who was the silent troublemaker for Fadnavis and similarly in 2024 too this time the surname changed, but the name Eknath remained constant!
In 2022 and 2024 both the times of swearing in, I observed the tension and humiliation in the voices of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde when both of them were swearing in as the Deputy Chief Ministers. Believe me, the discomfort was visible on Fadnavis face in 2022 and if Fadnavis couldn’t stop his emotions from showing, why will Eknath Shinde be left behind in 2024. Yes, both these leaders put up a brave front on the swearing-in ceremony.
Now, tell me those who controlled the CMO from 2022 to 2024, what happens now with the likes of Ajay Ashar ? Will there be a joint venture, merger, acquisition or will there be a permanent shut down? Because I have a list of people who will be the next Ajay Ashar for Fadnavis. The only difference I expect from people who are in such businesses, is they will have to be a bit nicer, wiser, be practical when quoting money and humble and sweet when talking to others, in short exactly opposite to what an Ashar or a Joshi was. This feedback is from bureaucrats and businessmen. Let’s face it, such people exist everywhere. But it would be nice if people hob-bobbing in Fadnavis circle will be good human beings who will not make a dent to Df’s image and not corrupt the system entirely. Let them speak nicely and be reasonable in their dealings.
MVA’s strategy of not swearing-in at Vidhan Bhavan did invite a lot of flak against them all over Maharashtra. Which bubble do these people stay in? I really fail to understand. Insulting, taking jibes at one another, fighting over casteism was OK till now, but insulting the legislative procedure is a bit far-fetched. They are damaging themselves further.
Bureaucrats are lining up at Fadnavis door steps and at the homes of people close to Fadnavis to get plum postings. I will urge CM Fadnavis to keep good people who are willing to match his pace but minus the points that his ex Secretary Pravin Pardeshi had. A stern message to the Home department bosses who have completely lost their hold, respect and control in their commissionerate is a must by the new in coming Home Minister. There too, in the Police Department of Mumbai and Maharashtra some people need to be taught the lesson of humanity. Just bulldozing officers, ill treating them, constantly harassing them, and yet these people think that their straight forward image will protect them, mind you, nothing is going unnoticed, Misters and Madam’s….
Vikrant Hemant Joshi.
