Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis take charge at Mantralaya (the state secretariat), in Mumbai.
Highlight
- Newly-sworn CM thanks PM Modi, Shah for trusting him
- Shinde takes oath as CM, while BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as deputy
- Shinde said he will ensure adequate development work
MaharashtraMaharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among others, for reposing their trust in him. The BJP-backed Shinde took oath as the chief minister on Thursday with the support of Shiv Sena MLAs and a separate faction of independents. “Fadnavis has shown a big heart by giving me the opportunity to become the chief minister,” Shinde said.
He said that not only his colleagues in the assembly but Maharashtra are also happy that “Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sainiks have become the chief minister”. Shinde remarked, “My colleagues and the whole of Maharashtra is happy that Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sainik has become the chief minister of the state.”
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In a series of political developments that unfolded in Mumbai, Shinde took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, while BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis took oath as his deputy. His swearing-in was celebrated by Shiv Sena MLAs, who remained at the resort of Dona Paula in Goa.
After landing at Dabolim airport, Shinde went to the resort 30 km away, where MLAs were waiting to welcome him.
Shinde said that his government would work for providing justice to every section of the society. We will also take forward the vision of Balasaheb Thackeray.
When asked about the cabinet expansion, he said the future strategy would be discussed in the meeting with his colleagues. Later, while interacting with reporters at the resort in Goa’s Dona Paula, the newly-sworn Chief Minister of Maharashtra thanked Modi, Shah and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis for trusting him.
Shinde said he would ensure adequate development work in the constituencies of all the 50 MLAs who supported him. The Shiv Sena leader also said that he is well aware of the experience of these MLAs for the last two and a half years. He said the floor test in the assembly was a “mere formality” as he claimed to enjoy the support of 175 MLAs.
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