Eknath Shinde to be new Maharashtra CM

Despite originally announcing that he would not be part of the new Maharashtra government, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister.
File image of Eknath Shinde wearing a white shirt and holding up his hand
File image of Eknath Shinde wearing a white shirt and holding up his hand
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Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will be the new chief minister of Maharashtra, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis announced to the media on Thursday, June 30. The dramatic announcement came after Fadnavis and Shinde met Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari at Raj Bhavan. It was considered a foregone conclusion that Fadnavis will become the CM for the third time, in alliance with the Shinde-led Sena rebels. However, Fadnavis said Shinde will be sworn in as CM at Raj Bhavan at 7.30 pm on Thursday. He added that Shinde will be the only one who will be sworn in now, and a cabinet expansion will happen at a later date. 

Despite originally announcing that he would not be part of the new Maharashtra government, Fadnavis was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister. "Devendra Fadnavis has shown big heart and decided to join the new Maharashtra cabinet," Nadda tweeted. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also said in a tweet that Fadnavis, who hails from Nagpur, has decided to join Maharashtra government on the request of Nadda and in the interest of the state.

"Eknath Shinde is group leader who wanted to end the alliance with Congress and NCP in Maharashtra, but Uddhav Thackeray did not oblige. We have submitted a list of entire BJP MLAs, the Group led by Shindeji, 16 independents and others, with more joining us, to the Governor," he added. 

Shinde, on his part, said he would work for the progress and development of the state which had "practically halted" since the past 30 months of the previous government and reiterated that he would follow the ideals of Bahasaheb Thackeray's Hindutva. He also thanked the BJP and Fadnavis for their large-heartedness in supporting his prospective government.

Earlier, in the past nine days, the rebel camp led by Eknath Shinde had repeatedly asserted that while Fadnavis would return as Chief Minister, Shinde would be the Deputy Chief Minister, but the latest developments put to rest all the claims.

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