Eknath Shinde Takes Oath as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis as His Deputy

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde took oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister today (Thursday, June 30). Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the deputy chief minister.

Shinde's name was declared by Fadnavis at the press conference after they met the governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshiyari to stake a claim for government formation. The BJP leader had told that he will not be a part of the government.

But a twist came after party president, JP Nadda told that the central leadership had asked Fadnavis to join the government as the deputy chief minister. Soon after that the union home minister Amit Shah tweeted that Fadnavis will join the Eknath Shinde government. Fadnavis said at a press conference that the Shiv Sena had insulted the public mandate by joining forces with Congress and the NCP to overthrow the BJP in 2019.

He also claimed rampant corruption during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government's reign, citing two NCP leaders accused of corruption. Fadnavis previously stated that he will not be a part of the Shinde-led ministry, but will provide all possible support from outside.

At a press conference, Eknath Shinde stated that the BJP, which has 106 MLAs and independents, has the support of 120 MLAs and that if the party so desired, it could have retained the CM post. "I express my heartfelt appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Devendra Fadnavis," he said. 

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said on Thursday that rebel MLAs have chosen their own path and that the party will not stand in the way of dissidents associating themselves with the BJP, as he targeted the breakaway group that brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government last week.

About Eknath Shinde:

Eknath Sambhaji Rao Shinde (born 9 February 1964) is an Indian politician who currently serves as Maharashtra's 20th Chief Minister. He served as the Cabinet Minister of Urban Development and Public Works (Public Undertakings) in the Maharashtra government.

Eknath Shinde is a Maratha who was born in the Jawali taluka of Satara, Maharashtra. His family relocated to Thane, on Mumbai's outskirts, in order to make a living. Eknath attended Mangala High School & Junior College in Thane until the 11th grade.

Role in 2022 Maharashtra Political Crisis:

The 2022 Maharashtra political crisis began on 21 June 2022, when Shinde and several other MLAs from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition relocated to Surat in BJP-ruled Gujarat, causing the coalition to disintegrate.

As a result of Shinde's revolt, Uddhav Thackeray resigned as Chief Minister of Maharashtra and announced his intention to resign from the Maharashtra Legislative Council as well.