Maharashtra Political Crisis Live Updates: Former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray congratulated new Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and new deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis after they took oath in Raj Bhavan.
After taking oath, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Thursday, 30 June, along with the new deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis held their first Cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet has decided to call special session of state Assembly for two days – on 2 and 3 July. On the first day of the session, a new Speaker will be elected.
Both the leaders took oath hours after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Fadnavis declared Shinde as the new CM.
While Fadnavis had earlier decided to stay out of the Cabinet, he took oath as the deputy CM. The development came moments after BJP chief JP Nadda had requested Fadnavis to become the deputy CM of the state.
In a joint press conference, Fadnavis had earlier said that the BJP will support Shinde as the CM, but will himself stay out of the cabinet to ensure smooth functioning of the alliance and the government.
While declaring Shinde as the CM, Fadnavis had said: "The BJP has decided that it will support Eknath Shinde as the chief minister of the state. Eknath Shinde will alone take oath at 7.30 pm today. After the ceremony, further decisions on the expansion of the cabinet will be taken. The cabinet will comprise of the Shiv Sena, the allies, the independents, and the BJP. I will not be a part of the cabinet, but I will take responsibility for the smooth functioning of the alliance and the government. I will provide full support and co-operation to the government."
Senior Shiv Sena leader earlier said that the faction was saddened by the resignation of the chief minister
All rebel MLAs led by Shinde arrived in Goa on Wednesday night after spending days in Guwahati
The Maharashtra governor on Wednesday accepted Thackeray's resignation and asked him to stay as the caretaker CM.
Thackeray's resignation as CM and MLC came after the Supreme Court refused to say a floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly
The BJP said that the Sena got into an unsustainable alliance with the Congress and the NCP which was never meant to survive
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EAM Jaishankar Congratulates Shinde, Fadnavis
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted, "Congratulate Eknath Shinde for taking over as Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Devendra Fadnavis as Deputy CM. Wish them all success in their new responsibilities. Confident that their leadership will take Maharashtra forward and contribute to India’s higher standing in the world."
Former CM Thackeray Congratulates Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis
Former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray congratulated new Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and new deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis after they took oath in Raj Bhavan.
He said in a tweet, "Congratulations to the newly appointed Chief Minister of Maharashtra @mieknathshinde G and Deputy Chief Minister @Dev_Fadnavis G for what lies ahead. I hope you do well for Maharashtra! (sic)"
Cabinet Calls State Assembly on 2 July To Elect New Speaker
Maharashtra Cabinet has decided to call special session of state Assembly for two days – on 2 and 3 July.
On the first day of the session, Speaker elections will be completed. Speaker's post is vacant since Nana Patole's resignation.
BJP Has Shown Large Heartedness: Shiv Sena MLA Kesarkar
Shiv Sena MLA Deepak Kesarkar has said that despite having 106 MLAs, the BJP took the decision of making Eknath Shinde the CM.
"It means they have shown large heartedness...As Devendra Fadvanis enters the cabinet, it will be a boost for the cabinet. It'll be a help to get clearances from Delhi," Kesarkar added.
He further said, "Matter of pride, a different day for Maharashtra...Two parties that believe in Hindutva and had parted ways, have come back together...We're back together 2.5 years later. Our 50 MLAs made important contributions. They wanted Shinde sahab as CM, BJP accepted it."