10 New MLCs Sworn In at Vidhan Bhavan

Ten newly elected members of the Maharashtra Legislative Council took oath at the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in a ceremony led by Council chairperson Ram Shinde. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, ministers and legislators attended the event, according to local reports. (thehindu.com) The swearing-in formally seated the new members in the state’s upper house after the latest round of Council elections. Reports from The Hindu and Free Press Journal said the ceremony was held in the Central Hall of Vidhan Bhavan. ### Who took oath at Vidhan Bhavan? Ten members took oath in Mumbai on May 14, with Ram Shinde administering the oath as chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. (cnbctv18.com) The Hindu reported that six of the new members are from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP’s candidates included Sunil Vinayak Karjatkar, Madhavi Naik, Sanjay Natthuji Bhende, Vivek Bipindada Kolhe and Pramod Shantaram Jathar, The Hindu reported. Other reports on the election outcome named Pravin Datke among the BJP’s winners, alongside Shiv Sena’s Neelam Gorhe and Bacchu Kadu, the NCP’s Zeeshan Siddique and Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Ambadas Danve. (thehindu.com) ### Why were these seats being filled now? The 2026 Council election was held to fill seats of members retiring on May 13, 2026, according to the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra website. Hindustan Times reported that nine of the 10 seats were part of the biennial cycle tied to retirements. (thehindu.com) The Chief Electoral Officer’s election page listed the “Biennial Election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council by the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs)” and a separate by-election process in Maharashtra in 2026. That matches press reports describing a 10-seat exercise completed this month. ### Were the members elected through a contest? All 10 candidates were elected unopposed on May 4, CNBC-TV18 reported, citing PTI. (thehindu.com) The report said the BJP won six seats, while the remaining seats went to allies and the opposition, including one for Shiv Sena (UBT). The New Indian Express reported on April 30 that, with nominations matching the number of seats and Congress backing Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Ambadas Danve, all 10 candidates were set to be declared elected unopposed. (ceoelection.maharashtra.gov.in) Hindustan Times also reported that Congress opted out, leaving all candidates set for unopposed election. ### Which senior leaders attended the ceremony? Mumbai’s Vidhan Bhavan hosted the ceremony in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Free Press Journal reported. The event also drew ministers and legislators from across parties, according to that report. (cnbctv18.com) Ram Shinde, a BJP leader who was elected unopposed as chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council on December 19, 2024, presided over the oath-taking. The Hindu reported at the time that the chairperson’s post had been vacant since July 7, 2022, before his election. (newindianexpress.com) ### What happens next in the Council? The 10 members can now take their seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Council after the May 14 oath ceremony in Mumbai. Their induction follows the completion of the 2026 election process listed by the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra. The Chief Electoral Officer’s Maharashtra election pages remain the official source for the 2026 Legislative Council election process and related documents. (freepressjournal.in) The Council’s next proceedings will take place with the newly sworn members now formally part of the House. (ceoelection.maharashtra.gov.in) (thehindu.com) (thehindu.com)