Eknath Shinde takes oath as new Maharashtra chief minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates both Shinde and Fadnavis who was sworn in as Number 2

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde being administered the oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai on Thursday: PTI Picture

TT Bureau, PTI   |   Mumbai   |   30.06.22  :  Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde was on Thursday sworn in as Maharashtra chief minister, while BJP's Devendra Fadnavis took oath as deputy chief minister.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered the oath of office to them at Raj Bhavan in south Mumbai shortly after 7.30 pm.

Shinde began by paying tributes to late Shiv Sena leaders Bal Thackeray and Anand Dighe. His supporters shouted slogans hailing Thackeray and Dighe as he finished taking the oath.

Earlier on Thursday, BJP president J P Nadda said Fadnavis would be part of the new Maharashtra cabinet led by Shinde, minutes after Fadnavis announced he will not be in the government.

Fadnavis sprung a surprise when he announced that Shinde will be the next chief minister. His announcement defied expectations that he would return to the post with the support of the Shinde faction.

"Development of the state is my priority. I will take all sections of society along with me," Shinde told after the ceremony.

Union Home minister Amit Shah seconded Nadda in a tweet, "On the behest of BJP President Shri @JPNadda ji, Shri @Dev_Fadnavis ji has taken a big heart and decided to join the government in the interest of the state of Maharashtra and the people. This decision is a sign of his true loyalty and service towards Maharashtra. For this I heartily congratulate him."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both Shinde and Fadnavis on Twitter. "I would like to congratulate Shri @mieknathshinde Ji 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.," Modi posted.

"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," Prime Minister wrote about Fadnavis.

Shinde who had been camping in Guwahati with his team of dissident legislators, met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari earlier in the day along with Fadnavis, a former CM to stake claim to form the government. 

Shinde parted ways with his mentor Shiv Sena chief and his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray who resigned on Wednesday after the Supreme Court upheld the Governor's decision to conduct a floor test. 

In an emotional address, Uddhav had said, "Congress leader Ashok Chavan told me that if the rebels want, the Congress would get out of the government and extend outside support. Those who were expected to ditch me, stood by me while my own left me."

Those ordinary people — autowallahs, vendors — whom the Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray picked to make corporators, MLAs and ministers, chose to stab him in the back. They will have the glory of evicting Balasaheb’s son from the chief minister’s chair,” he added.