Maharashtra Suspense Ends: Eknath Shinde Agrees To Deputy CM Post

Bhubaneswar: The deadlock over government formation in Maharashtra finally ended on Tuesday as Caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde finally relented to take the post of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister.

Shinde along with Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP’s) Ajit Pawar will take oath as deputy chief ministers on Thursday. Shinde is presently undergoing medical tests at Thane’s Jupiter Hospital for fever and throat ache.

Devendra Fadnavis is now all set to return as the Chief Minister, India Today reported citing sources. The swearing-in ceremony of the Mahayuti government will take place at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent NDA leaders are expected to attend the ceremony. After the oath taking ceremony, the Cabinet portfolios and berths will be finalised for the three Mahayuti allies of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, the sources said.

The Mahayuti alliance had won 230 of the total 288 Assembly seats in the elections. While the BJP won 132 seats, Shiv Sena bagged 57 and NCP 41 seats.