Nagpur: An illustrious spot in Dharampeth area of Nagpur has been transformed into a fortress with policemen dotting every corner. Unprecedented security measures are in place. The reason. The newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the Dharampeth resident Devendra Fadnavis is arriving to his home and town for the first time on Sunday (November 2). The Son of the Soil, Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the first BJP Chief Minister in Maharashtra on October 31 in the presence of galaxy of dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party patriarch L K Advani, veteran leader Murli Manohar Joshi, party President Amit Shah, all the Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled States, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Bollywood stars, and around 40,000 party workers and supporters at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
The young Chief Minister will have a busy schedule as a deluge of BJP leaders, workers, bureaucrats, friends, relatives, well-wishers, office-bearers of social, political, business, industrial and sports organizations are likely to meet him at his Dharampeth residence near Trikoni Park in a grand felicitation programme.
Police have thrown a security blanket at the residence of Fadnavis and nearby areas. A squad of sniffer dogs has been pressed into service to scan every inch of the venue of felicitation and other places where Fadnavis is likely to visit including his residence. The residence now hosts a Chief Minister. The name board in front of residence, which earlier read “Devendra Fadnavis, Aamdar (MLA), Dakshin-Pashchim Nagpur” is being replaced with “Devendra Fadnavis, Mukhyamantri (Chief Minister), Maharashtra Rajya.” Dozens of hoardings, banners have been put up by individuals, organizations congratulating and welcoming Fadnavis as Chief Minister. The road leading to residence of the new CM is being given a facelift with tarring and other works. The venue of felicitation programme and the residence are being spruced up with all beautiful and decorative material in a befitting manner. Traffic has been regulated and parking arrangements for vehicles are in place. Policemen and other security personnel have been stationed at vantage points to keep a hawk eye on the activities as measures to provide full protection to the Chief Minister and other VVIP dignitaries visiting the programme.
In sum, the entire Second Capital City is being readied as a bride to welcome the ‘Prince of Nagpur.’
Khopde, Bawankule soon to be made Ministers:
According to reliable sources, the East Nagpur MLA Krishna Khopde and Kamptee MLA Chandrashekhar Bawankule are likely to be inducted in the Ministry of Devendra Fadnavis. The Chief Minister is possibly expand his Ministry after winning the vote of trust in Assembly to prove Government’s majority in the House. The names of Khopde and Bawankule have already been decided as Ministers and the swearing-in will be just a formality.
Sandeep Joshi, the most trusted lieutenant:
Former Standing Committee Chairman and Corporator Sandeep Joshi is considered as the most-trusted lieutenant of Devendra Fadnavis. Therefore, it will not be surprising Joshi gains an added importance. Most of the campaigning responsibility of Devendra Fadnavis was shared by Sandeep Joshi and another right hand man Mandar Chitale. Now, there is a distinct possibility that Sandeep Joshi is given significant post in Government, said the sources.
Sandeep Joshi
