Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis's oath-taking ceremony turns into mini Kumbh

MUMBAI: Religion reigned in the oath-taking ceremony of the first ever BJP government in Maharashtra with sadhus from all over the state given pride of place while a separate enclave accommodated spiritual figures from other faiths.

The unchecked enthusiasm of party cadres led to chaotic scenes at the Wankhede Stadium and many prominent invitees had to struggle to make it to the VIP enclosure.

More than a 100 ‘saints’ from all parts of the state were given special invites, with a special VIP gate ushering them in safely to the chagrin of those who had to walk back from the venue because of the crowds.

The sight of a sea of saffron immediately invited criticism from Opposition. "This was a government function but sadhus, saints, buwa-baba and maharajs (godmen) were present in a large number… Is this not superstition?" former CM and Congress leader Ashok Chavan asked.

CM Devendra Fadnavis, however, was quick to dismiss that. "They belonged to all religions. There is a thin line between belief and superstition. We are against superstition," he said. Earlier, arrangements for the lavish ceremony itself had come for criticism, but on Friday, BJP cadres couldn’t seem to get enough of what was on offer.

Noted industrialist Adi Godrej was seen wading through a long queue from the VIP enclosure to reach the special VIP box. Famous builder Niranjan Hiranandani had to endure pushing and shoving crowds before he could make it to the venue. ADAG Group chairman Anil Ambani was lucky to skip the queues and the chaos as BJP cadres removed one of the barricades to get him to the enclosure.

Actor Nana Patekar chose to return from the gates after his second attempt to reach the VIP enclosure went in vain because of the teeming crowd. Well-known Marathi actors Ramesh Deo and his son Ajinkya who were unable to get in were seated in the press gallery.

However, it was neither the saints nor Fadnavis who was the biggest draw. The loudest cheers were reserved for PM Narendra Modi as he entered the venue. Pankaja Munde too evoked quite a response from the crowd. NCP leader Praful Patel who entered the VIP enclosure didn’t sit with other NCP leaders like Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare in a separate stage. Patel went and sat beside BJP Chief Ministers and was seen talking animatedly with Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia.