Eknath Shinde to take oath as New Maharashtra Chief Minister At Today 7:30 PM IST

Mumbai: In a surprise move, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis announced that Shiv Sena rebel Eknath Shinde will be the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Shinde is expected to take the CM oath at 7:30 PM, IST.

Fadnavis who was touted to be the next CM of Maharastra after Shiv Sena MLA’s rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray, and insisted on forming the government with the Bhartiya Janata Party. But beating all speculations, Fadnavis announced that Shinde shall be the next CM of Maharashtra.

The former CM Fadnavis said in a press conference today, “”I will stay out of the government and ensure it runs smoothly. It was expected in 2019 that BJP and Shiv Sena together will form the govt in Maharashtra – People’s mandate was insulted and the government was formed with anti-Hindu parties – Last two and a half years of the MVA government were full of corrupt practices – We have the support of 16 independent MLAs also.”

Speaking to the press, Shinde said, “The decision that we have taken is committed to Balasaheb’s Hindutva and for the development work in the constituencies of our MLAs. We have 50 MLAs with us. – We went to former CM Thackeray with our constituency’s grievances and development work along with advising him on the need for improvement as we started realizing that it would be difficult for us to win the next elections. We demanded a natural alliance with BJP. – BJP has 120 MLAs but despite that Devendra Fadnavis didn’t take the post of CM.

Eknath Shinde thanked PM Modi, Mr Fadnavis and other BJP leaders and said, “I express my gratitude to him along with PM Modi, Amit Shah & other BJP leaders that they showed generosity and made Balasaheb’s Sainik (party-worker) the CM of the state. – A total of 50 MLAs are with us, including 40 MLAs from Shiv Sena. We have fought this battle so far with their help. I will not let even a scratch mar the trust that these 50 people have placed in me – let alone break that trust.”

Last night, Uddhav Thackeray resigned as Maharashtra Chief Minister on Wednesday, June 29. Uddhav Thackeray’s announcement followed soon after the Supreme Court rejected MVA government’s plea seeking a stay on floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly.

Uddhav Thackeray also resigned from the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

The Shiv Sena chief was left with only 13 MLAs after the revolt that played out in three BJP-ruled states. Eknath Shinde and a group of rebels first moved to Gujarat’s Surat in luxury buses. They were flown to Assam’s Guwahati in chartered flights. They landed in Goa last evening to prepare for a possible test of strength.

Parvasi Media Group