Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray Swearing-in Updates: After first Cabinet meet, chief minister announces govt's decision to sanction Rs 20 crore for Raigad Fort's reconstruction

Aghadi’s common minimum programme ignores Marathwada, Vidarbha, says Devendra Fadnavis

Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in a tweet in Marathi said, “The Maha Vikas Aghadi has made many tall claims in its common minimum programme. However, it has not even mentioned Marathwada, Vidarbha and North Maharashtra — regions that have remained underdeveloped for years. This is very unfortunate. Let us hope that the new government pays attention to this aspect.”

Devendra Fadnavis starts vacating official CM residence

Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis started vacating the official residence Varsha allotted to him in south Mumbai. A vehicle of a professional packers and movers company arrived at the residence in the afternoon to shift his belongings, a police official posted there told PTI.

According to sources, Fadnavis, who hails from Nagpur, has started hunting for a new house in Mumbai as he and his family members will continue to reside in the metropolis. Fadnavis’s wife Amrita works at a senior position in Axis Bank and their daughter also studies in Mumbai.

Cabinet meet at Sahyadri guest house commences

Other leaders who arrived at Sahyadri Guest House included Ajit Pawar and Dilip Walase Patil of the NCP; Shiv Sena MPs Rajan Vichare, Anil Desai and Shrikant Shinde, and Sena Member of Legislative Council Anil Parab.

The cabinet, in the first meeting, is supposed to decide on calling a special session of the Assembly to elect full-time Speaker who will conduct floor test, a senior IAS officer told PTI.

First Cabinet meeting under chief ministership of Uddhav Thackeray begins at Sahyadri guest house, report ANI

Activists and residents fighting to prevent a Metro car shed from being built at Aarey Colony in Mumbai were present at Shivaji Park, holding ‘Save Aarey’ banners

Trustees, alumni of Uddhav Thackeray’s alma mater overjoyed by his swearing-in

The news of swearing in of Uddhav Thackeray, a 1976-batch student of Balmohan Vidyamandir school, brought happiness and excitement among teachers, trustees and current and former students of the school.

“This is a proud moment for the school as two of our students are taking oath of office,” Guruprasad Rege, trustee and director of the school, told PTI. Jayant Patil, who took oath as a minister at Shivaji Park, was also a student of the same school.

“I am very happy as my childhood friend Uddhav is becoming chief minister. I hope this government runs for 25 years. He has always been very simple, honest and calm since our school days,” Thackeray’s childhood friend Vinay Kore told PTI.

“Actually he was a year senior to me. But a teacher scolded him for some reason on the very first day. It scared him so much that he did not attend school for one whole year,” Kore said. Next year Bal Thackeray himself escorted him to school on the first day, Kore said

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulates Uddhav Thackeray

Wishing Uddhav Thackeray on being sworn in as the Maharashtra Chif Minister, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed hope that he will take Maharashtra on the “road to development”.

A Shiv Sena supporter at Shivaji Park for the swearing-in ceremony today

Uddhav Thackeray needs to get elected to legislative assembly or council

Since the Sena leader is currently not a legislator, he will have to get elected either to the legislative assembly or the council within six months of taking oath.

Additionally, a floor test will be held in the Maharashtra Assembly by 3 December, for which the tripartite alliance will have to keep its flock of MLAs together.

Uddhav Thackeray – the photographer

Known for his passion for photography, he started out in the advertising field by setting up an agency called ‘Chaurang’. Thackeray specialises in aerial and wildlife photography.

He has two photo books to his credit, ‘Maharashtra Desh’ (2010) on the forts of the state, and ‘Pahava Vitthal’ (2011) on the Pandharpur wari (on pilgrimage to the temple town of Pandharpur).

‘Maharashtra Desh’ is full of breathtaking aerial shots, providing a glimpse into the cultural fabric, physical beauty and historical perspective of this wondrous state.

A few years ago, he organised an exhibition of his photographs and Rs 10 lakh collected from their sale was donated for farmer causes.

Maharashtra will “develop as a whole” under Uddhav Thackeray, says Ajit Pawar

Around 70,000 people reportedly attended Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing in at Shivaji Park

Akhilesh Yadav calls Maha Vikas Aghadi an alliance of socialism, secularism

“I congratulate the new Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra and new chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. This new alliance of secularism and socialism is the beginning of a new political era in national politics. BJP’s achhe din (good days) are over,” the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi.

WATCH | Uddhav Thackeray takes oath as the chief minister

Before taking oath, Uddhav Thackeray paid obeisance to Chhatrapati Shivaji and invoked the memory of his parents.

Chhagan Bhujbal and Subhash Desai arrive at Sahyadri guest house for first Cabinet meet

Uddhav Thackeray had earlier arrived for the meet after offering prayers at the Siddhivinayak Temple.

Maharashtra would excel in all fields during Uddhav Thackeray’s tenure as CM, says Supriya Sule

Mamata Banerjee says Uddhav Thackeray’s govt will work for all-round development

HD Devegowda congratulates chief minister

JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda said that Uddhav Thackeray’s installation as the chief minister is a “tight slap on the face of those trying to destroy the democratic fabric” of the nation.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also conveyed his wishes to Thackeray.

Thackeray offer prayers at Siddhivinayak Temple

After the conclusion of the oath-taking ceremony at Shivaji Park in Dadar, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray visited the Siddhivinayak Temple with his wife Rashmi and their son and Worli MLA Aaditya.

Sharad Pawar keeping together unnatural alliance, says BJP’s Poonam Mahajan

Congratulating Uddhav Thackeray on being sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, BJP’s Poonam Mahajan said that it remains to be seen how far the “three-wheeler car will go”. “Only Sharad Pawar ji is keeping this unnatural alliance together, Congress doesn’t even have 10 percent say in the government. They are just watching over from Delhi,” she said.

Sena leader Neelam Gorhe said that the party’s dream has been fulfilled only today.

About Uddhav Thackeray, Maharshtra’s newly sworn-in chief minister

Uddhav Thackeray was born on 27 July, 1960, in the same year as the foundation of the state of Mahrashtra. He studied at Balmohan Vidyamandir and later graduated from the JJ School of Arts, where photography was his main subject.

He formally took over as the chief of Shiv Sena after his father Balasaheb Thackeray died in 2012.

Not having held any significant post or portfolio before, Uddhav Thackeray’s chief ministership comes after he stuck to the Shiv Sena’s 50:50 deal with the BJP over the prime state government post. Thackeray refused to bow down to the BJP over the issue leading to the collapse of the three-decade-old alliance.

Thackeray is the third Shiv Sena Chief Minister, after Manohar Joshi and Narayan Rane, and the first member of his family to hold the top post in Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena workers celebrate in Jammu after Uddhav Thackeray takes oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister

Celebrations also erupted outside the Sena Bhawan in Dadar after the Shiv Sena chief took an oath of office at the Shivaji Park, which is considered the birthplace of the party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Uddhav Thackeray

Expressing confidence that Uddhav Thackeray will work towards a bright future for Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the newly sworn-in Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in a tweet.

Uddhav Thackeray’s oath-taking ceremony concludes

First Cabinet meeting to be held at 8 pm at Sahyadri Guest House.

Congress leaders Balasaheb Thorat, Nitin Raut take oaths as ministers in the Maharashtra Cabinet

In pictures: Uddhav Thackeray becomes the first from his family to become the chief minister

NCP leaders Jayant Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal take oaths as ministers of Maharashtra Cabinet

Bhujbal had spent over two years in jail over the Maharashtra Sadan Scam, before being released on bail. He had been a Shiv Sena strongman and was also the PWD Minister under the Congress-NCP government.

Eknath Shinde, Subhash Desai take oath a ministers of Maharashtra Cabinet

Two ministers each from the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party will be sworn in as minister next.

Uddhav Thackeray takes oath as the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra

Uddhav Thackeray arrives at Shivaji Park

The Shiv Sena chief will take oath as the chief minister soon.

Uddhav Thackeray will be the eighth person to take oath as Maharashtra CM while not being a legislator. NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leaders AR Antulay, Vasantdada Patil, Shivajirao Nilangekar-Patil, Shankarrao Chavan, Sushilkumar Shinde and Prithviraj Chavan are among the leaders who were not members of any of the state legislature Houses when they occupied the top post.

Raj Thackeray present at Shivaji Park for swearing-in

Uddhav Thackeray’s cousin Raj Thackeray had founded his party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena after breaking away from the party led by Balasaheb Thackeray.

BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari are present on the stage too.

DMK chief MK Stalin is among the attendees of the swearing-in

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who will not be attending the ceremony, wrote a letter to Uddhav Thackeray, calling his swearing-in as the chief minister “a historic event”. He commended his “visionary leadership”.

Raj Thackeray arrives at Shivaji Park for cousin Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing-in

Ahmed Patel, Kapil Sibal, Prithviraj Chavan, KC Venugopal, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sushil Shinde, Ashok Chavan and Abhishek Manu Singhvi are among the Congress leaders present on the stage at Shivaji Park.

NCP leader Praful Patel, DMK leader MK Stalin and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath are present too.

Ajit Pawar reaches Shivaji Park

Shiv Sena leaders Sajnay Raut and Priyanka Chaturvedi are present at Shivaji Park too.

Ajit Pawar had been administered oath on 23 November as deputy chief minister with Devednra Fadnavis as the chief minister. He, however, resigned on 27 November and returned to the NCP fold.

Rahul Gandhi writes to Uddhav Thackeray, will not attend swearing-in

Expressing regret about not being able to attend the swearing-in ceremony at Shivaji Park, he expressed confidence that the Aghadi alliance will be able to give Maharashtra a “stable, secure and pro-poor government”.

Sharad Pawar makes way to Shivaji Park

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar left for Shivaji Park from his residence to attend Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing-in ceremony. He is accompanied by Supriya Sule and Sadanand Sule. even though Ajit Pawar visited Sharad Pawar’s residence, he did not leave for the oath-taking ceremony’s venue with him.

Meanwhile, Balasaheb Thorat and Eknath Shinde have arrived at Shivaji Park.

First Cabinet meeting at 8 pm today

After being sworn in at Shivaji Park, Chief Minister designate Uddhav Thackeray will hold the newly-formed Maharashtra government’s first Cabinet meeting at the Sahyadri guest house at 8 pm.

Jaya Bachchan congratulates Thackeray family

Samajwadi Party MP in the Rajya Sabha Jaya Bachchan said that her family shares a deep bond with the Thackeray family. She expressed hope that the Aghadi alliance works towards the betterment of Maharashtra, provides relief to farmers and gives youth employment.

Confident that Aghadi will implement CMP in letter and spirit, Sonia Gandhi writes to Uddhav Thackeray

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister designate Uddhav Thackeray, interim Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said that she will not be attending the swearing in ceremony at Shivaji Park today.

Stressing that the Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress have come together “under extraordinary circumstances, when country faces unprecedented threats from BJP”, she added that the “political atmosphere is poisonous and the economy has collapsed”.

She expressed confidence that the Aghadi alliance will implement the common minimum programme in letter and spirit.

Aghadi govt’s first Cabinet meeting to be held today, says Jayant Patil

At a press conference held by the Aghadi alliance partners, Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde said apart from doing its best for the farmers, the “strong government” will take up the Nanar Refinery Project and bullet train project during the Cabinet meeting.

NCP’s Jayant Patil said that the first cabinet meeting will be held later today.

Coordination committees to be constituted for coordination among Cabinet, alliance partners

In the Common Minimum Programme, the government promises to eliminate social, educational and economic backwardness of the minority community.

Food at Rs 10 for the state’s common people and severe punishment for violators of the food and drug regulations were promised.

Two coordination committees will be constitutes – one for coordination within the Maharashtra Cabinet and the other for coordination among the alliance partners.

Improving quality of roads, health insurance cover to all among goals of Common Minimum Programme

The Common Minimum Programme also looks at improving the quality of roads in urban areas, with separate financial provision for the same in panchayat and municipal corporations and councils.

One Rupee clinics at taluka level, super specialty hospitals in districts and health insurance cover to every citizen of Maharashtra were among the promises.

The government will also look at attracting new industries and investors to Maharashtra, with special focus on information technology.

Women’s safety to be government’s highest priority, says CMP

The safety of women will be top priority, the Common Minimum Programme said.

Additionally, girls from economically weaker sections will be given free education and working women’s hostels will be constructed. The government will also focus on strengthening women’s self-help groups with the aim to augment women’s empowerment.

CMP promises job reservations for locals, better education

The Common Minimum Programme assured the filling up of vacant state government posts, fellowship for educated unemployed youth and 80 percent reservation in jobs for local youths.

Additionally, increasing the standard of education in the state and education loans at zero percent interest rate to children of labourers and students from economically weaker sections were promised.

Remunerative prices for farm produce, sustainable water supply among CMP,s promises

Committing to uphold secular values of the Constitution, the Common Minimum Programme of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the alliance of NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress that is set to come to power in Maharashtra, mentioned immediate assistance and loan waivers to farmers in the Common Minimum Programme released at 4 pm.

The programme also promised a revised crop insurance scheme, remunerative prices for farm produce and a sustainable water supply system for drought-affected areas.

Nawab Malik, Eknath Shinde, Jayant Patil address press conference

Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders held extensive discussions to arrive at the common minimum programme. “All aspects that will focus on development and growth of Maharashtra have been looked at,” BJP’s Eknath shinde said.

Shinde added that Uddhav Thackeray was elected unanimously as the leader of Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Farmers’ issues, jobs top agendas on NCP, Congress, Shiv sena’s common minimum programme

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel to attend swearing-in ceremony

Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, N Chandrababu Naidu, Amarinder Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Manomohan Singh will not be attending the ceremony at Shivaji Park, CNN-News18 reported.

Balasaheb Thorat, Nitin Raut to be sworn in as ministers

Sources told ANI that Congress leaders Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut will take oath as Ministers today at Shivaji Park.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath reached Mumbai to attend Uddhav Thackeray, six ministers’ swearing in at Shivaji Park.

‘Will not take oath today,’ confirms Ajit Pawar

NCP leader Ajit Pawar reconfirmed that he would not take oath as a Maharashtra minister on Thursday. “I will not take oath today. Only Chhagan Bhujbal and Jayant Patil will take oath as ministers from the NCP,” Ajit Pawar told reporters after a meeting of NCP leaders at party chief Sharad Pawar’s residence in Mumbai.

Two MLAs each from the allies Shiv Sena and Congress will also take oath as ministers, he said. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray will be sworn in as the chief minister at a ceremony to be held at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai in the evening.

Ajit Pawar also dismissed reports that he was disappointed over not being sworn-in as the deputy chief minister on Thursday. “I am not at all disappointed. Do you see disappointment on my face?” he asked.

Six MLAs to take oath today, state cabinet to be announced later this week

Ministers appointed in the state cabinet will be announced in the coming days, says NCP leader Praful Patel. “A total six leaders, two from each party, will take oath today along with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray,” he further added.

Bombay HC refuses urgent hearing on plea against Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing-in today

The Bombay High Court has refused to take up urgent hearing on a petition filed by a group of lawyers seeking a stay on the swearing-in of Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister of Maharashtra on Thursday evening.

The petitioners sought an urgent hearing of their plea, saying the Shiv Sena and BJP should have stood by their pre-poll alliance and formed government.

However, two different benches of the high court refused to take up the petition for hearing. A division bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Bharati Dangre asked what was “unconstitutional and void” about the swearing-in ceremony of Thackeray.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Mathew Nedumpara, said there has been a breach of trust of the voters, who wanted the Sena and BJP to form government. To this, Chief Justice Nandrajog said, “Is the concept of divorce not new to the law of marriages.”

Congress leader Ashok Chavan to not take oath today claims report

According to CNN-News18, Congress leader Ashok Chavan’s name has been withdrawn from the list of ministers who were expected to take oath later on Thursday. This comes after the Enforcement directorate began its probe into the Adarsh Society scam.

Chavan, former Maharashtra chief minister was acquitted in the Adarsh housing scam back in 2017. The charges on the Congress leader were eased after the Bombay High Court rejected then Governor Vidyasagar Rao’s sanction to prosecute him.

The CBI had chargesheeted Chavan and 22 others in connection with the alleged irregularities committed in building the housing society. The agency had accused Chavan of approving additional floor space index for Adarsh Society in return for two flats for his relatives.

NCP leader Jayant Patil to take oath as minister today

After NCP’s Chaggan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil too has confirmed that he will be taking oath in the evening along side Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray . However, Patil said his portfolio isn’t yet decided.

How did Shivaji Park play a central role in the Thackeray family?

The Shiv Sena Bhawan, the party headquarters, is just a stone’s throw away from Shivaji Park. When Manohar Joshi, the first Sena chief minister, took oath, Thackeray chose Shivaji Park as the venue and not the Raj Bhawan, so that the ceremony could be attended by lakhs of Shiv Sainiks.

Aditya too was handed over the reins of Bhartiya Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the party on the same ground. When Thackeray died, he was cremated at this ground in presence of lakhs of party supporters — his memorial is located there.

Incidentally, Uddhav’s cousin Raj also held the first rally of his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena at the Shivaji Park.

Why is Shivaji Park important to the Thackerays?

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is due to take the oath of office as Chief Minister of Maharashtra at 6.40 pm Thursday after the impasse over government formation that lasted over a month finally ended earlier this week.

From witnessing Shiv Sena’s first rally in 1966 to the cremation of its founder Bal Thackeray, from the swearing-in of its first chief minister Manohar Joshi in 1995 to Udhhav Thackeray now, the Shivaji Park ground in Dadar has been central to the saffron party’s politics for over five decades.

Since its inception, the ground has also seen the rise of the Shiv Sena through the four generations of the Thackerays — Keshav, also known as Prabodhankar (social reformer), his son Bal Thackeray, Uddhav and Raj and heir apparent Aditya.

Envisaged under the Dadar-Wadala-Matunga-Sion-Mahim town planning scheme, the 28 acres playground in Dadar first came into existence in 1925-26.

In 1927, it was renamed Shivaji Park on the birth anniversary of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji, said Ashok Rawat, a resident of Shivaji Park since last eight decades.

Difficult to prove majority in 24 hours: Union minister Ramdas Athawale

Union minister Ramdas Athawale told ANI, that the BJP could have formed a government after showing majority, had the Supreme Court not given a deadline of 24 hours for the floor test. “Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar would not have resigned. It was difficult to prove majority in a short span of 24 hours.” he alleged.

NCP MP Supriya Sule turns emotional, recalls late father Balasaheb, mother Meenatai Thackeray

With Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray set to be sworn in as Maharashtra chief minister on Thursday, NCP MP Supriya Sule turned emotional and said the Sena chief’s father late Bal Thackeray and mother Meenatai Thackeray should have been around this day.

Sule, daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, said Bal Thackeray and his wife treated her with love and affection “more than a daughter” would get, and that she was missed them a lot.

Pawar and Bal Thackeray had been bitter critics of each other in the political sphere, but shared cordial relations off it. The Shiv Sena is forming government in Maharashtra with once-rivals, the NCP and Congress.

‘I will take oath as minister’: NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal

Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said he will take oath as minister on Thursday evening in the new Maharashtra government of the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray is set to be sworn in as the chief minister at a ceremony to be held at the​ Shivaji Park in Mumbai’s Dadar area in the evening. “NCP chief Sharad Pawar saheb has chosen two MLAs from the party to take oath as ministers and I am one of them. I will take oath as minister today evening,” Bhujbal said.

He was speaking at an event organised in Pune to mark the death anniversary of social reformer Jyotiba Phule. Asked which portfolio he is expecting, Bhujbal said no decision has been taken on it. “Senior leaders from the party, including Pawar saheb, will decide on the portfolio issue,” he added.

Earlier, an NCP source also said that party leaders​ Bhujbal and Jayant Patil are expected to be sworn in as ministers.

Alliance members to address joint conference at 4 pm

Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde and NCP’s Jayant Patil are to address a joint press conference at 4 pm, ahead of swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena chief and ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ leader Uddhav Thackeray, on Thursday, where the Common Minimum programme of the alliance is likely to be released.

Uddhav Thackeray set to be 8th Maharashtra CM to take oath while not being MLA/MLC

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray will on Thursday evening join the league of seven leaders who got the chief minister’s post in Maharashtra when they were still not member of either the state Legislative Assembly or Council.

Congress leaders AR Antulay, Vasantdada Patil,​ Shivajirao Nilangekar-Patil, Shankarrao Chavan, Sushilkumar Shinde and Prithviraj Chavan are among the leaders who were not members of any of the state legislature Houses when they occupied the top post.

The then Congress leader and current NCP chief Sharad Pawar also finds name among these leaders. Thackeray, 59, to be sworn in as chief minister at the​ Shivaji Park on Thursday evening, will become the eighth such leader.

According to provisions of the Constitution, any leader who is not a member of the Assembly or Council has to become member of the legislature within six months of taking oath of the post.

-PTI

Raj Thackeray to attend swearing-in ceremony today

Chairperson of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Raj Thackeray will be attending his estranged cousin and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thakceray’s oath taking ceremony at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Thursday, reports CNN-News18. Earlier in the day, Uddhav had called Raj and invited him to the swearing-in. 

The two had brothers had a fallout after Uddhav was chosen as the Sena Chief to succeed after Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Raj split from the family’s political party to form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in 2005.

Common Minimum Programme to be declared at 4 pm claims report

According to India Today sources, the Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP alliance’s Common Minimum Programme is expected to be released at 4 pm on Thursday, just hours before Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing-in ceremony.

Ajit Pawar will attend swearing-in ceremony says NCP spokesperson 

NCP spokesperson clarifies reports claiming Ajit Pawar has switched off his mobile phone. The spokesperson told ANI, “Ajit Pawar has not gone incommunicado, he has intentionally switched off his mobile phone to avoid frequent calls. He will attend the swearing-in ceremony”

DMK president MK Stalin arrives in Mumbai for attending swearing-in ceremony today

DMK president MK Stalin arrived in Mumbai on Thursday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government of the state, led by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as the chief minister.

Shiv Sena lauds Sharad Pawar in Saamana editorial, dubs him ‘margdarshak’ of Maha Vikas Aghadi

With Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray set to take oath as Maharashtra’s chief minister, the party on Thursday heaped praises on NCP chief Sharad Pawar and termed him ‘margdarshak’ (guide) of the new government in the state.

Though the Shiv Sena espouses the Hindutva ideology, it formed the ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ alliance with the NCP and Congress when the Uddhav Thackeray-led party fell out with the​ BJP over the issue of sharing the chief minister’s post after the last month’s Assembly elections.

An editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ acknowledged​ Sharad Pawar’s efforts in taking the Sena-NCP-Congress alliance forward.  A strong and experienced ‘margdarshak’ like Sharad Pawar is with us. This government will not function with any deceitful intention against anyone," the Sena said.

With the single largest party BJP being unable to form government, the Sena described the change in political dynamics as the “rise of a new sun” in Maharashtra.

“The current mood of happiness in the state can be equated with the one the entire country had at the time of Independence on August 15, 1947,” the Marathi daily said.

-PTI

Aarey activists hope to remind Uddhav Thackeray of his promise to them ahead of swearing-in ceremony

Ahead of Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing in ceremony as the chief minister on Thursday, activists and residents fighting to prevent a Metro car shed from being built at Aarey in Mumbai hope that the Shiv Sena chief will not forget the promise he had made to declare the area a forest.

“We all are hopeful as the parties that had supported the ‘Save Aarey’ movement are coming to power. We expect that the Metro car depot will be moved out of Aarey Colony and it will be declared a forest, as they had promised time and again,” said Yash Marwah of Let India Breathe told The Indian Express.

Many activists are planning to reach Shivaji Park for the 6.40 pm oath ceremony to remind Uddhav about the promise he had made ahead of the state polls.

Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance in Maharashtra: To counter unethical post-poll alliances, scope of anti-defection law needs widening

After the NCP, Congress Party and Shiv Sena announced their alliance, certain voters moved to Supreme Court to stop the ‘unholy alliance’ (as termed by them) since it defeats the electoral mandates. In recent times, as the mandate turns increasingly fractured, post-poll alliances have become inevitable in electoral politics.

In cases of pre-poll alliances, the parties function as a single unit with defined ideologies and policy objectives that have been mutually agreed upon by the parties of that alliance. The coming together of two or more parties and the agenda set by them is the basis on which voters decide whether to vote for the particular alliance or not.

Hence, it is need of the hour that the definition of the party under the anti-defection law and Constitution must be construed in broad manner so that the objective of the 10th Schedule gets accomplished. To make informed choices, the voters should know who they are voting for and in cases of post-poll alliances, this very foundational aspect of democratic politics is compromised.

History being created today, tweets NCP leader Supriya Sule

Ahead of swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as CM in Mumbai today, NCP leader and MP Supriya Sule took to Twitter saying the new day will see history being created.

“Today’s sunrise is writing a new history. The government of Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi is coming to power. Uddhavji Thackeray is going to be sworn in as chief minister. We all should work towards taking Maharashtra on the growth path again. Good wishes,” Supriya Sule wrote on the microblogging site.

2,000 cops to guard Shivaji Park for Uddhav’s oath ceremony

At least 2,000 police personnel will guard the Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Thursday evening as part of the elaborate security arrangements being made for the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister of Maharashtra, a police official said.

The iconic venue will turn into a virtual fortress as personnel drawn from various security forces, including Quick Response Teams, Riot Control Police, State Reserve Police Force, Local Armed Police and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad will be deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

Dog squads will also be on duty to maintain a vigil at the sprawling ground, located in Dadar area, he said. Police personnel in civil clothes will also be deployed, the official said, adding that drones and CCTV cameras will be used to monitor the crowd. 

“People will not be allowed to carry any bags, including those meant to keep laptops, and water bottles inside the park,” he said. Frisking of every individual will be done before being allowed to enter the venue, he added.

-PTI

Uddhav Thackeray’s elevation as Maharashtra CM will affect national politics claims Sena leader Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that the swearing-in of Uddhav Thackeray as Maharashtra chief minister will affect national politics.“What is going to happen in Maharashtra will affect national politics. Maharashtra is a state which influences the politics of the entire country,” Raut told media persons ahead of Thackeray’s scheduled oath-taking ceremony.

He also alleged that BJP used all tactics to prevent Sena from forming the government. “From President House to Governor and ED to CBI -— everything was used,” the Sena leader said, adding that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government will complete its full term.

-ANI

BJP making shameless attempts to ‘subvert democracy in Maharashtra’, says Sonia Gandhi 

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday hit out at the BJP accusing it of making shameless attempts to “subvert democracy” in Maharashtra and to blatantly sabotage the three-party alliance from coming to power in the state.

Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting in Parliament House, she also attacked the Governor of the state and said that he acted in an “unprecedented and reprehensible manner”.All party MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were present in the meeting.

‘How is the Josh?’: Sanjay Raut tweets ahead of ceremony today

With the stage set for Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing in ceremony, senior Sena leader tweeted the famous Bollywood movie dialogue “How is the Josh?” .Raut has been vocal against the former ally, BJP after the two parties sparred over the post of chief minister. 

NCP leaders Bhujbal, Jayant Patil, Congress’ Thorat likely to take oath as ministers

NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and​ Jayant Patil and Maharashtra Congress unit chief Balasaheb Thorat are likely to take oath as state ministers on Thursday, sources in the two parties said. The deputy chief minister’s post may go to NCP MLA​ Ajit Pawar, they said.

NCP leader Praful Patel on Wednesday said one or two​ MLAs each from his party, the Shiv Sena and the Congress will be sworn in as ministers at the ceremony. “Bhujbal and Patil are expected to be sworn in as ministers from the NCP. Ajit Dada is likely to be the deputy CM. But, he is unlikely to take oath today,” a source in the​ NCP said.

“Thorat is also expected to take oath today,” a Congress source said. Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan could be the second leader from the Congress to be sworn in as minister on Thursday. “But, a decision on this will be taken in a few hours,” the source said.

Names of Ashok Chavan and another former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan are doing the rounds for the post of Assembly Speaker.

-PTI

Time to move gears to Jharkhand: Congress leader Sanjay Jha congratulates alliance 

Congratulating the Congress party for joining hands and being a part of Maharashtra’s Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, party leader Sanjay Jha sounded the poll bugle for Jharkhand where elections are slated to be held from 30 November.  “Congratulations to all Congress leaders and supporters on being part of #MahaVikasAghadi . But time to move gears immediately:  Jharkhand. It must be won (sic),” Jha said in a tweet.

‘NPC’s matter’: Sanjay Raut on appointment of Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM

On being asked if Ajit Pawar would be appointed as the deputy chief minister, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, “I don’t know, it is NCP’s matter. Sharad Pawar is the seniormost leader of ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ (Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP), what post should be given to Ajit Pawar or someone else in his party, will be decided by him.”

In Photos: Bust of Meena Thackeray decorated in Mumbai

Security beefed up outside Matoshree, Shivaji Park

Around 2,000 policemen will be deployed at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai’s Dadar for the 6:40 pm swearing in ceremony on Thursday. Elaborate security arrangements were seen outside Matoshree, the bungalow of Uddhav Thackeray, who is set to sworn-in as 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra today evening.

Security was also beefed up outside Silver Oak, the residence of NCP chief Shard Pawar.

Meanwhile, hoardings welcoming the new government in Maharashtra and party flags of Shiv Sena and Congress were put up on the stretch from Dadar TT to Shivaji Park.

In Photos: Visuals from outside Uddhav Thackeray’s residence Matoshree in Mumbai

Police review security arrangements; traffic restrictions in place near Shivaji Park

Commissioner of Police Sanjay Barve reviewing security arrangements at Shivaji Park, ahead of Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing-in as Maharashtra chief minister.

There will be no entry for vehicles on Swatantra Veer Savarkar Road, Raja Bodhe Chowk junction upto Keluskar Road, Lt. Dilip Gupte Marg, Gadkari Chowk and Bal Govindas Marg. Police said, all public parking lots will be free for parking on Thursday.

Ajit Pawar to get Dy-CM post, will not take oath today claims report

According to ANI, NCP sources have claimed that party leader Ajit Pawar is likely to be the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra but will not be taking an oath in today’s ceremony. 

Ahead of Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing-in as Maharashtra chief minister on Thursday, the Maha Vikas Aghadi of the Nationalist Congress Party, Congress and Shiv Sena on Wednesday held a six-hour meeting in Mumbai to iron out the modalities of government formation.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, NCP’s Praful Patel said all issues had been sorted out and added that the deputy chief minister would be from the NCP, whereas the Assembly Speaker will be from the Congress. According to ANI, he also said that the number of ministers to be sworn in along with the chief minister will be finalised during the night. However, it is likely that one or two ministers from every party will be sworn in on Thursday, he added.

Speculation over Ajit Pawar’s induction into new cabinet continues 

Ahead of today’s swearing in ceremony, there is speculation that Ajit Pawar may be inducted into the new Cabinet.​ NCP leader Praful Patel on Wednesday said his party will get the deputy chief minister’s post in the new Shiv ​Sena-led government.

The Congress will get the Assembly Speaker’s post while the NCP will get deputy Speaker’s post, he said after a meeting of the ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’. He also said that alongwith Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, one or two members of each of the three parties will take oath as ministers.

There will be only one deputy CM’s post in thegovernment, he added. 

A special session of the 14th state Assembly was held in Mumbai on Wednesday where oath was administered to 285 newly- elected members by pro tem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar.

Legislature secretary Rajendra Bhagwat said a decision on the date for Speaker’s election will be taken after the Cabinet meeting, following the swearing-in of Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister.

DMK’s MK Stalin , Arvind Kejriwal among invitees for Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing-in today

Congress chief ministers, DMK leader MK Stalin, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal have also been invited, however, Kejriwal had turned down the invite citing personal reasons.

Recap: Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul, Manmohan Singh to skip ceremony today

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday night separately met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi and invited them for Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing-in as Maharashtra chief minister. 

But sources told NDTV that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi along with Singh conveyed their good wishes but said they won’t be able to travel for the swearing-in ceremony. Though Rahul has distanced himself from the Sena, he lashed out at the ruling BJP in parliament over the sudden government formation in Maharashtra and said: “There is no point in my asking the question as democracy has been murdered in Maharashtra.”

Aaditya Thackeray had a brief meeting with Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence in the national capital. The Congress tweeted a photo of the two leaders from its official Twitter handle. 

Maharashtra will have a Shiv Sena CM after 20 years

After Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing in, Maharashtra will have a chief minister from the Shiv Sena after 20 years. Uddhav, 59, will be sworn in as the chief minister in an evening ceremony at the sprawling Shivaji Park, where his father and Sena founder Bal Thackeray addressed his famous Dussehra rallies.

The last Sena man to occupy the chief minister’s chair was Narayan Rane in 1999, after Manohar Joshi, who in 1995 became the first Sena chief minister.

Thursday’s swearing in ceremony follows days of dramatic political developments, which included a three-day government formed by unexpected support from Ajit , who has since returned to the NCP fold.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to be sworn-in at 6:40 pm today

Uddhav Thackeray is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of the state on Thursday at Shivaji Park at 6:40 pm.

Top Shiv Sena leaders have said that they are fulfilling the promise made to their party’s founder Bal Thackeray of having a chief minister from the party. Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena in 1966 to advocate for the interests of the people of Maharashtra in Mumbai’s political and professional landscape. 

The political developments in Maharashtra come after BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis submitted his resignation as Chief Minister to the Governor on Tuesday as “the BJP fell short of the required number of MLAs to win the scheduled floor test”.

Poster featuring picture of Bal Thackeray and Indira Gandhi seen near Shiv Sena Bhawan in Mumbai

As the stage is set for the newly formed alliance of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress — the ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ — led by Uddhav Thackeray to form the government in Maharashtra, a poster was seen near Shiv Sena Bhawan in Mumbai featuring a picture of Bal Thackeray and Indira Gandhi.

“Balasaheb Thackeray’s dream fulfilled, Chief Minister from Shiv Sena,” reads the poster. The Sena patriarch is seen greeting Indira in a throwback picture on the poster which also features Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray.

Contrary to popular belief, Bal Thackeray was a supporter of several of Indira Gandhi’s policies. In fact, Shiv Sena has, on more than one occasion, lent support to the Congress. Thackeray had also supported the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975 when most of the other parties were vehemently protesting against it.

-ANI

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee  yet to confirm presence at ceremony today

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been invited to the swearing-in of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as the new chief minister of Maharashtra, sources at the CMO said on Wednesday.

The invitation to Banerjee, who is a staunch critic of the BJP, for the Thursday oath taking reached the CMO Wednesday afternoon, they said. Whether Banerjee will be in Mumbai for the swearing-in is yet to be confirmed, the sources said.

In Photos: Preparations underway at Shivaji Park for swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as Maharashtra CM