Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Thursday took oath as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Earlier, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis announced that Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Springing a surprise, Fadnavis defied expectations that he would return as CM with the support of the Shinde faction. Shinde alone will take oath of office at 7.30 pm, and cabinet expansion will take place later, Fadnavis said at a press conference at Raj Bhavan premises after meeting Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari along with Shinde.
“I will not betray the faith Fadnavis has placed in me,” Shinde told the media. The BJP will extend support to Shinde’s group, said Fadnavis, a former chief minister and currently leader of opposition in the Assembly. BJP is the single largest party in the legislature.
Meanwhile, Fadnavis stated that he will stay out of the government but will ensure its smooth functioning. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) central leadership wants Fadnavis to be the deputy chief minister.
