Mahayuti leaders inspect the Azad Maidan ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of state ministers on December 5

BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankhule and other leaders inspect proceedings of swearing-in ceremony at Azad Maidan | Salman Ansari

Mumbai: As the city prepares for the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, Mahayuti leaders inspected the Azad Maidan venue on Tuesday.

A few days ago, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and MLC Pravin Darekar visited Azad Maidan to inspect the preparations for the inauguration ceremony. Ajit Pawar faction leader Shivajirao Garje also accompanied them, along with several BJP leaders. However, despite the fact that many Shiv Sena leaders resided nearby, none of them were invited to join the inspection, prompting party chief Deepak Kesarkar to express displeasure .

BJP leaders Pravin Darekar and Mohit Kamboj inspect Azad Maidan ahead of the oath-taking ceremony. |

Concerns raised by Shiv Sena chief Deepak Kesarkar

Kesarkar raised concerns that top Shiv Sena leaders from the Shinde faction were sidelined in the BJP-led arrangements for the event.

In a bid to dispel these rumors and demonstrate unity within the Mahayuti alliance, all top leaders gathered at Azad Maidan on Tuesday for a joint inspection. Leaders such as Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Shiv Sena MP Gulabrao Patil, NCP MPs Dhananjay Munde and Hasan Mushrif were present.