Eknath Shinde takes oath as new Maharashtra CM, Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy

Mumbai: The political turmoil, which has been going on for the last 10 days, finally came to an end on Thursday evening, as former Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde took oath as 20th Chief Minister Maharashtra, while Devendra Fadnavis was sworn-in as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Within 24 hours of the resignation of Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde and Fadnavis took oath in a low-key function held at the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan here.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered the oath to both Shinde and Fadnavis in Marathi.

"With the blessings of Hindu Heart Emperor Balasaheb Thackeray and Dharmaveer Anand Dighe, I am taking the oath of Chief Minister of Maharashtra," said Shinde, during his oath-taking ceremony.

During the swearing-in ceremony, slogans of 'Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji and Jai Shriram' filled the Raj Bhavan.

Besides Governor Koshyari and Dy CM Fadnavis, BJP state president Chandrakant Patil, Ashish Shelar, Pankaja Munde and other BJP leaders were present on the occasion.

Eknath Shinde's family also attended the swearing-in ceremony. The former Shiv Sena leader, who was instrumental in the fall of Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state, was provided with 'Z' security, due to a wave of anger among the Uddhav Thackeray loyalists over his rebellion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both the Chief Minister and his Deputy on Twitter.

"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," he tweeted.

"Congratulations to Shri @Dev_Fadnavis Ji on taking oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM. He is an inspiration for every BJP Karyakarta. His experience and expertise will be an asset for the Government. I am certain he will further strengthen Maharashtra’s growth trajectory," he said in another tweet.

BJP national president JP Nadda, in a series of tweets in Hindi, said "I congratulate Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis. This has been proven now that BJP was never hungry for the Chief Minister's post. In 2019 elections, (Prime Minister) Narendra Modiji and Devendraji got a clear mandate. However, Uddhav Thackeray, in the greed of Chief Ministership, left us and formed the government with the opposition.

"BJP decided to support Eknath Shinde ji, for the betterment of people of Maharashtra. Fadnavis ji has also decided to join the Cabinet with a big heart, which shows his attachment to the people of Maharashtra. The party has once again proved by taking this decision that we don't run after plum posts, but our ultimate goal is to serve the country and the people of Maharashtra under the leadership of Narendra Modi ji," he added.

NCP president Sharad Pawar, who was an ally of the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government, congratulated Shinde on Twitter in Marathi.

"Heartiest congratulations to Eknath Shinde on being elected as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra State! I sincerely hope that the interests of Maharashtra will be protected by them. I am happy that after Prithviraj Chavan, one more Satarkar has been appointed as the Chief Minister," he tweeted.

Following the resignation of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray from the post on Wednesday night, there was talk that Fadnavis would be the next Chief Minister.

Till noon, it was being said that Fadnavis would be the next Chief Minister and Shinde as the Deputy Chief Minister. Both Fadnavis and Shinde went to the Raj Bhavan, met the Governor and offered him to form the government.

However, after holding a joint press conference, Fadnavis made a surprised announcement that Shinde will be the new Chief Minister. (UNI)