Shiv Sena rebel leader Eknath Shinde will take oath as chief minister of Maharashtra this evening at 7.30 pm.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced that rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra surprising everyone who anticipated his return. In fact, Eknath Shinde alone will take the 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 the leader of the opposition in the Assembly. BJP is the single largest party in the legislature. Meanwhile, Fadnavis said that he will stay out of the government but will ensure its smooth functioning.
Uddhav Thackeray, Wednesday evening, stepped down as Maharashtra chief minister following a rebellion in his own party – the Shiv Sena – and on realizing that he will not be able to prove his government’s majority on the floor of the House. His resignation followed the Supreme Court’s decision not to impose a stay on a floor test called Thursday by the Governor.
Eknath Shinde-faction MLAs, staying at a hotel in Goa, celebrate following his name being announced as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
#WATCH | Eknath Shinde-faction MLAs, staying at a hotel in Goa, celebrate following his name being announced as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. pic.twitter.com/uJVNa4N74g
— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2022
However, some sources are saying this is a trap, and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis will eventually take over as the chief minister.
Earlier, Aditya Thackeray, son of Uddhav Thackeray thanked the NCP and Congress for standing firmly with them during their crisis.