Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde takes oath as new Maharashtra CM

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra while BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis took oath as his deputy. Fadnavis and Shinde earlier met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhawan where they staked a claim to form the government in Maharashtra.

At the press briefing, Eknath Shinde said the BJP, with 106 MLAs and independents, has the support of 120 MLAs and added that if the party wished it could have kept the CM post with itself.
At a press briefing, Eknath Shinde (left) said the BJP, with 106 MLAs and independents, has the support of 120 MLAs and added that if the party wished it could have kept the CM post with itself. Photo courtesy: APH Images

Addressing a press conference, Fadnavis said the Shiv Sena, by joining hands with the Congress and the NCP in 2019 to overthrow BJP, had insulted the public mandate. He further claimed rampant corruption during the rule of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government while quoting two NCP leaders accused of corruption. Fadnavis had earlier said that he will not be achie part of the Shinde-led ministry, but will offer every support from outside.

At the press briefing, Eknath Shinde said the BJP, with 106 MLAs and independents, has the support of 120 MLAs and added that if the party wished it could have kept the CM post with itself. “I express my deep gratitude to PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Devendra Fadnavis,” he said. Shinde will be sworn in as the new chief minister of Maharashtra today evening. Shinde arrived in Mumbai from Goa on Thursday. He was provided with a Z category security cover by the Centre.

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