Mumbai: The month-long political drama in Maharashtra ended on Tuesday (November 26) with the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress MLAs electing Uddhav Thackeray as the chief ministerial face of Maha Vikas Aghadi. The Shiv Sena supremo also staked his claim to form the government in Maharashtra before Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and he is scheduled to take oath on Thursday (November 28) at Shivaji Park. Speculations are rife that Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat and NCP leader Jayant Patil will also take oath on Thursday as deputy chief ministers of Maharashtra.
A few hours earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis stepped down as the chief minister after admitting that he does not have majority in Maharashtra assembly. Fadnavis decided to resign after NCP leader Ajit Pawar quit as the deputy CM, more than three days after dramatically extending support to the BJP. This development took place hours after the Supreme Court ordered a floor test in the state assembly.
The newly-elected MLAs took oath on Wednesday (November 27). BJP leader Kalidas Kolambkar, who was elected Pro-tem Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday, addministered the oath to the MLAs inside Assembly.
Political leaders who are expected to attend Uddhav Thackeray’s swearing-in ceremony on Thursday (November 28) are Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Madhya Pradesh CM Kamalnath, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh, Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu.
Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, KC Venugopal, Mallikarjun Kharge have reached Silver Oak, Sharad Pawar’s residence. Prithviraj Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat have also reached Sharad Pawar’s residence.
My personal opinion is that BJP should not have taken support of Ajit Dada Pawar. He is an accused in the massive irrigation scam and faces many allegations, so we should not have allied with him: BJP leader Eknath Khadse.
There are several first-time MLAs and we all felt proud while taking oath. Want to serve people of the state: Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray.
Whatever position the party will give me i am ready to take responsibility: Ajit Pawar on becoming the Deputy CM.
NCP is planning to make Ajit Pawar Deputy CM in new government. A final decision in this regard will be taken in a meeting of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Ahmed Patel.
Union cabinet has approved the withdrawal of President’s rule in Maharashtra. President’s rule was imposed in Maharashtra on November 12 after no party or alliance staked claim to form the government.
Sharad Pawar calls meeting of NCP leaders at 1 pm. Ajit Pawar may become minister in new government.
In the end, he admitted his mistake. It is a family matter and Pawar Sahib has forgiven him. He is very much in the party and his position in the party has not changed: NCP leader Nawab Malik on Ajit Pawar.
No decision has been taken on who will be the deputy CM: Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat.
People were laughing at us when I said we will come to power in Maharashtra, now we have safely landed at the Maharashtra secretariat. Don’t be surprised if Shiv Sena lands up in Delhi too: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.
Shiv Sena chief and Maha Vikas Aghadi CM candidate Uddhav Thackeray meets Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhawan.
A lot of work is to be done now that oceans have merged, tweets Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.
We are happy that finally the dream of Balasaheb ji Thackeray is being fulfilled. ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ will be led by Uddhav Thackeray, guided by Sharad Pawar & Sonia ji madam has made immense contribution to it, so we will do great work for Maharashtra: Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe.
NCP leader Rohit Pawar stressed that the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government will definitely last for five years. He added that the party is happy that Ajit Pawar has returned to the fold.
We have a lot of new responsibilities. Every citizen of Maharashtra stood by us: NCP leader Supriya Sule.
The oath-taking ceremony at the Maharashtra Assembly begins. NCP’s Ajit Pawar and BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis take the oath.
NCP has not expelled me and I am still with the party: Ajit Pawar.
Devendra Fadnavis arrives at the assembly, ahead of the first session of the new assembly today.
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray offers prayers at Siddhivinayak temple, ahead of the first session of new assembly today.
It’s a new morning. The dream came true. We will work for Maharashtra: Supriya Sule.
NCP leader Supriya Sule welcomes cousin Ajit Pawar with a hug at the oath-taking ceremony.
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has called a special session of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday where 288 newly-elected MLAs will be administered oath by pro-tem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar. The session will begin at 8 am.
Why should BJP get so desperate for power in Maharashtra? Though we showed the tally of 162 MLAs, their efforts to prove us wrong were hate-worthy. Now, the Fadnavis government has run away without even facing the majority test. No other government or political party was insulted so much in Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar stopped his ‘vastraharan’ in the last stage, but BJP stands completely naked now. An arrogant rampage has stopped in Maharashtra. Now everything will be auspicious: Shiv Sena said in its mouthpiece Saamana.
Maharashtra has refused to buckle under pressure and MLAs have retained their self-respect: Shiv Sena in Saamana.
Bureau Report
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