Uddhav makes history, becomes 'first Thackeray' to take over an elected office

Mumbai:Scripting history in his own right and braving major political hurdles, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday took over as the new Maharahstra Chief Minister.

Uddhav Thackeray will be heading a coalition government of Sena, NCP led by Sharad Pawar and of the Congress party.

Sena leaders and trusted aides of Uddhav - Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai, NCP leaders Jayant Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal were also sworn in as the Ministers by the state Governor B S Koshyariat a grand function at the historic Shivaji Park in central Mumbai.

Uddhav Thackeray will be heading a coalition government of Sena, NCP led by Sharad Pawar and of the Congress party.Mr Thackeray will be the first member from the Thackeray family to hold an elected office and the Chief Ministership of Maharashtra.

Uddhav will be also the third Shiv Sena Chief Minister after Manohor Joshi and Narayan Rane.

Making another first Junior Thackeray - Aditya - contested this year's assembly polls from Worli in Mumbai. Amid criticism that Sena has been forced to give up a number of pro-Hindutva issues, Uddhav Thackeray arrived at the grand show in a saffron Kurta.

Balasaheb Bhausaheb Thorat and Nitin Kashinath Raut of Congress were also administered oath as Ministers.In attendance were DMK chief M K Stalin and Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, Kamal Nath and NCP stalwart Sharad Pawar.

The NCP chief and former state Chief Minister Pawar is credited for being the 'Chanakya' of the occasion as it has been his salutary efforts that contributed immensely to take out Sena out of the NDA combine and stitch alliance with Congress and NCP.

However, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul gave the historic occasion a slip although in separate letters they congratulated Uddhav Thackeray.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed 'regrets' for his inability to attend the swearing in ceremony.

"I am glad that Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi has come together to defeat the BJP's attempt to undermine our democracy."

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in a letter to Uddhav Thackeray wrote: "I am very happy to know that you are taking oath as the 19th Chief Minister of Maharashtra. It is a historic event and I commend you on your visionary leadership".Estranged cousin of Uddhav - Raj Thackeray - was also present on the occasion.Ajit Pawar, who lately was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister under Devendra Fadnavis, also attended the grand ceremony.(UNI)