Eknath Shinde is the new Maharashtra CM

Swearing-in at 7.30 pm on Thursday.

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde is the new Maharashtra chief minister. Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Devendra Fadvavis today called on the Governor Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari along with Shinde and made the announcement later. Shinde’s swearing-in is to take place at 7.30 pm on Thursday.

The last week has seen dramatic political developments in Maharashtra in which Shinde led several Shiv Sena MLAs and left for Gujarat, announcing rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray. Later, he and the rebel MLAs left for Assam. Both Gujarat and Assam are BJP-ruled states. Last evening, Shinde flew to Goa, which too is BJP ruled.

Last night, Uddhav Thackeray resigned after losing most of his Shiv Sena MLAs as a result of this rebellion. This was after the Supreme Court yesterday ruled that he must prove his majority.

The Shiv Sena chief was left with only 13 MLAs after the rebellion. The BJP has been maintaining that it had no role to play in the rebellion. The party said that it was an “internal matter of the Shiv Sena”.  However, Fadnavis held several meetings over the past few days during the Maharashtra crisis and held discussions with Shinde and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Earlier, there were talks that Fadnavis may be the CM and Shinde his deputy. However, Fadnavis won’t be part of the cabinet. “I will stay out of the government and ensure it runs smoothly,” Fadnavis said.

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