Shiv Sena’s rebel leader Eknath Shinde took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday evening. Bharatiya Janata Party’s Devendra Fadnavis took oath as his deputy CM a day after the BJP-architected coup forced Uddhav Thackeray to resign.
Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered the oath of office.
Congratulating the Shinde, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “I would like to congratulate Shri@mieknathshindeJi on taking oath as Maharashtra CM. A grassroots level leader, he brings with him rich political, legislative and administrative experience. I am confident that he will work towards taking Maharashtra to greater heights.
Announcing that Shinde will become the new Maharashtra Chief Minister with the support of the BJP, Fadnavis earlier in the day said: “Eknath Shinde will become the Chief Minister. I will stay out of the government and ensure it runs smoothly.”
Soon after the twist, BJP chief JP Nadda said, “He must be Deputy Chief Minister… I will personally request him.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Fadnavis had graciously accepted the request.
Shinde thanked PM Modi, Fadnavis and other BJP leaders. “It’s their magnanimity. They had a bigger mandate, yet they made me the Chief Minister. Who does that?” he said.
Fadnavis and Shinde met with the Governor and staked claim to power earlier in the afternoon.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray resigned on Wednesday, minutes after the Supreme Court allowed the floor test to prove his government’s majority.
Shinde’s rebellion with 40 odd MLAs had led to the uninstallation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray stepping down as the Chief Minister Wednesday night.
“We respect the Supreme Court judgment. Democracy must be followed,” Thackeray had said in an online address after which he left for the Governor’s residence to hand over his resignation.
“I am resigning as Chief Minister. I don’t want a hand in the blood of Shiv Sainiks that may be spilled tomorrow. Those whom we promoted and built up, they are the ones who have betrayed us,” an emotional Thackeray had said.
“I came to power unexpectedly and I’m exiting in a similar fashion. Sena is one family, will not let it be pulled apart. I am not going anywhere, I will gather all our supporters, we will recoup,” he had pledged.
