Pawar throws open Wankhede gates for swearing-in

Mr. Pawar, who is also president of the Mumbai Cricket Association, has asked officials to co-operate and provide all assistance for the political show of the year.

Sharad Pawar, NCP chief and Mumbai Cricket Association president, has directed officials at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, venue for the swearing-in of the first BJP Government in Maharashtra on October 31, to extend "total co-operation" for the event.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawarhas thrown open the iconic Wankhede Stadium for the swearing-in of the BJP’s first CM in the State.

It is the first political do of this kind at the renowned cricket stadium. P.V. Shetty, joint honorary secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which manages the stadium, told The Hindu that Mr. Pawar, who heads the MCA, had directed him to extend total co-operation to ensure that the swearing-in on October 31 goes off without any hitch.

About 30,000 people including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao will attend the function.