Maharashtra political crisis: Eknath Shinde chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis his deputy

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde was on Thursday sworn in as Maharashtra chief minister, while BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis took oath as deputy chief minister.

Shinde began by paying tributes to late Shiv Sena leaders Bal Thackeray and Anand Dighe. His supporters shouted slogans hailing Thackeray and Dighe as he finished taking the oath.

Earlier, Fadnavis had said he will not be part of the new govt but just minutes before the oath ceremony Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted that former Maharashtra CM had agreed to take up the post of Deputy CM at the request of party leadership.

Fadnavis had sprang a surprise when he announced that Shinde will be the next chief minister. His announcement defied expectations that he would return to the post with the support of the Shinde faction.

(with PTI inputs)

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