Eknath Shinde accepts post of Maharashtra Dy CM, to take oath with Fadnavis tomorrow

Caretaker Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde accepted the post of Deputy Chief Minister on Wednesday ending days of speculation and will take oath on Thursday.

Earlier today, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis was declared the next chief minister of the state after weeks of tussle within the Mahayuti alliance. Fadnavis has also been made the leader of the BJP Legislative Party.

With Shinde and NCP’s Ajit Pawar by his side, Fadnavis staked claim to form the government in Maharashtra on Wednesday after the November 23 election results.

After days of impasse, the next Maharashtra government has begun taking shape as Fadnavis, Shinde and Pawar will take oath as the chief minister and deputy chief ministers of the state.

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Mahayuti won a historic victory with BJP alone securing 122 out of the 288 assembly seats. However, a power tussle between the three parties of the alliance – Shiv Sena (Shinde), BJP and NCP (Ajit Pawar) – soon ensued with leaders divided over their pick.

The grand oath-taking ceremony

The trio’s oath-taking ceremony will be a grand event.

The oath ceremony will be held at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

More than 4,000 police personnel have been deployed for security during the swearing-in ceremony of Maharashtra’s new chief minister scheduled on Thursday evening.

A large number of supporters of the Mahayuti allies – BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP – are expected to gather at the venue to witness the ceremony.

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Special arrangements have been made to accommodate 40,000 Bharatiya Janata Party supporters and a separate seating arrangement made for 2,000 VVIPs, including leaders from various religions, a BJP leader earlier said.

At least 3,500 police personnel and 520 officers have been deployed for security arrangements, an official said.

Portfolio allotment to be conducted later

Thursday’s ceremony will only see Fadnavis, Shinde and Pawar take the oath while the Cabinet swearing-in function will be held between December 7 and 9, sources told News18. 

The Mahayuti alliance is yet to allot portfolios although BJP wants to keep the Home and Urban Ministry for itself.

The winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly will begin on December 16.

With inputs from PTI