Maharashtra News Highlights: Shinde becomes CM, Fadnavis deputy; PM, Uddhav congratulate

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday claimed that BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis did not appear to be happy while accepting the deputy chief minister's post in Eknath Shinde's government.

"I think Fadnavis has not accepted the number two position happily. His facial expression said it all," Pawar told reporters in Pune.

"(But) He is from Nagpur and he has worked as a `swayamsevak' (with the RSS) and there, when an order comes, it has to be followed," the NCP chief said, adding that Fadnavis might have accepted a junior position due to this`sanskar' (values).
 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who spent seven days in Guwahati, tells Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma that he will visit the state very soon.

"There was a planned attack on me. NCP office bearers did a recce, knew at what point I'll be at police station. What kind of law and order is this? One person came from Pune to attack me: Ketaki Chitale, Actor arrested for social post," actor Ketaki Chitale tells Republic.

Actor Ketaki Chitale who was arrested for a social media post and kept in jail for weeks is live on Republic.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray has congratulated Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis on becoming Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy CM, respectively.

"I don't think that the one who led MLAs to Assam had expected more than the post of Deputy CM. But in BJP, as per order- be it from Delhi or Nagpur -CM post has been given to Eknath Shinde...The person who was CM and LoP has been asked to take oath as Dy CM. It's shocking," says NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

Maharashtra Governor has asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to prove a majority. For this, a special session has been called in Vidhan Bhavan on Saturday, July 2. 

After Eknath Shinde took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar addressed the media and said, "I have congratulated Eknath Shinde, and I told him that once taken swear you belong to the whole of Maharashtra and not to a party. Eknath Shinde had taken Shiv sSna outside, which is not an easy job and Shinde did show his capacity and power. There is no scope of talk or reconciliation when 38-39 people of one party leave and go outside the state.  I think Devendra Fadnavis is not happy as one can make it from his face. since he comes from Nagpur and has been part of RSS, I think he accepted the decision due to his teaching and learning of RSS."

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Thursday called Eknath Shinde to congratulate him on taking the oath as Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis are on their way to Mantralaya to chair the first cabinet meeting.

Home Minister Amit Shah congratulates Eknath Shinde on taking oath as Maharashtra CM, and Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Eknath Shinde on being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Devendra Fadnavis on being his deputy.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde changed his profile picture on Twitter soon after taking an oath. The profile picture also included Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde takes oath as Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Eknath Shinde as Chief Minister and Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy, Vande Mataram slogans were raised inside Darbar Hall in Raj Bhawan.

Devendra Fadnavis, who is to be Maharashtra Deputy CM, enters Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan for the swearing-in ceremony.

Maharashtra Chief Minister-designate Eknath Shinde has reached Raj Bhawan for his swearing-in ceremony.

"On the behest of BJP President JP Nadda, Devendra Fadnavis has decided to join the government in the interest of the state of Maharashtra and the people. This decision is a sign of his true loyalty and service towards Maharashtra. For this I heartily congratulate him," Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted.

"BJP decided to support Eknath Shinde ji, showing a big heart for the betterment of the people of Maharashtra. Shri Devendra Fadnavis ji has also decided to join the cabinet with a big heart, which shows his attachment towards the people of Maharashtra," JP Nadda tweeted in Hindi.

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister-elect Eknath Shinde on Thursday interacted with breakaway group Shiv Sena MLAs who are camping in a Goa hotel.

Uddhav Thackery-led Shiv Sena will not attend the swearing-in ceremony of Eknath Shinde as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut. 

BJP chief JP Nadda attributes the decision to make Eknath Shinde the Chief Minister to Devendra Fadnavis. He also stated that Fadnavis has been requested to become Deputy CM.

"BJP's central leadership has decided that Devendra Fadnavis should become a part of the Govt. So, made a personal request to him and Central leadership has said that Devendra Fadnvais should take charge as Deputy CM of Maharashtra," Nadda said.

According to sources, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will attend the oath-taking ceremony of Eknath Shinde as Chief Minister of Maharashtra at 7:30 pm.

Chief Minister-elect Eknath Shinde thanks Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda and former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.

"Also, thanks to my fellow MLAs who have threatened to step down and play a different role without fear for the sake of Hindutva and for the sake of Maharashtra," he added.

"Congratulations to Eknath Shinde on his election as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra! I sincerely hope that the interests of Maharashtra will be safeguarded by him," Sharad Pawar said.

"Late. Yashwantrao Chavan, Shri. Babasaheb Bhosale. I am happy that after Prithviraj Chavan, another Satarkar has taken over as the Chief Minister," he added.

"Hon'ble Eknath Shinde became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.  I am happy as Thanekar... Good luck," tweeted NCP leader Jitendra Awhad.

"Balasaheb Thackeray's dream of having an ordinary Shiv Sainik on the chair has come true with the help of BJP and Devendra Fadnavis ji," Deepak Kesarkar, spokesperson & MLA of soon-to-be Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction speaks to Republic

"BJP has 120 MLAs but despite that Devendra Fadnavis didn't take the post of CM. I express my gratitude to him along with PM Modi, Amit Shah & other BJP leaders that they showed generosity & made Balasaheb's Sainik (party-worker) the CM of the state," says Eknath Shinde. 

"The decision that we have taken is committed to Balasaheb's Hindutva & for the development work in the constituencies of our MLAs. We have 50 MLAs with us," said Shinde.

"In 2019 BJP-Shiv Sena fought together and we got a full majority. Our majority mark was near 170. But after the elections, Sena made another decision. There was huge unrest. Shiv Sena MLAs made the demand that this alliance should be broken, but it was not fulfilled. But Uddhav Thackeray decided to be with NCP and Congress. And they did not hear their own MLAs," says Fadnavis. 

"Almost 170 legislators were elected in 2019 after BJP and Shiv Sena had contested elections together..." Devendra Fadnavis addresses media alongside Eknath Shinde before Maharashtra CM oath-taking.

Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde to address a joint press briefing at Raj Bhavan after staking claim to form a government; Tune in here -  

Rebel Shiv Sena Minister Eknath Shinde has handed over a letter to the Governor, staking a claim to form the government in Maharashtra. 

Republic has accessed visuals of preparations that are currently underway at the Raj Bhavan ahead of the oath-taking ceremony. As per the latest input, the swearing-in ceremony of Devendra Fadnavis will take place today at 7 PM.

As per the latest input, the swearing-in ceremony of Devendra Fadnavis will take place today at 7 PM. Fadnavis along with Eknath Shinde have reached the Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and stake a claim, sources have revealed. 

With the meeting of Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari with rebel Shiv Sena's Eknath Shine & Devandra Fadnavis of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Republic TV got exclusive inputs on the government formation in the state on Thursday. Sources have told the channel that in total 38 MLAs will be sworn in as Ministers--21 from the BJP, and 13 from the rebel Shiv Sena. On July 1, 14 MLAs, seven from each side, will be sworn in, sources further said, adding that the next round may commence on July 3. 

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Republic has learned that the oath-taking ceremony of the new Maharashtra Cabinet is all set to take place tomorrow. Preparations are currently underway in full swing. Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde are likely to swear in as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister by today evening. 

Eknath Shinde reaches Devendra Fadnavis' residence after landing; likely to discuss ministerial positions. 8 MLAs are likely to take oath in Devendra Fadnavis' Cabinet tomorrow, according to sources.

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has landed in Mumbai. He is likely to meet Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari soon to stake a claim for the formation of a new government. 

As per sources, a total of 38 MLAs will take oath as a Minister in the BJP-Eknath Shinde faction government. This includes 25 MLAs from BJP and 13 legislators from the rebel camp. On July 1, 7 Ministers from BJP and the Shinde camp each will be sworn in as Ministers in the Raj Bhavan, sources added. The other Ministers are likely to be sworn in on July 3. 

Eknath Shinde will visit the Balasaheb Thackeray memorial at Mumbai's Shivaji Park soon, sources indicated. He is also likely to head to Devendra Fadnavis' Sagar residence in Mumbai before moving reaching the Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. 

The Eknath Shinde camp will send a letter to the Election Commission to stake a claim over Shiv Sena, sources revealed. 

NCP held a meeting at the YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai under the leadership of party supremo Sharad Pawar. As per sources, NCP is chalking out its future strategy. 

As per sources, Eknath Shinde has been granted Z security cover by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Speaking to the media before leaving for Mumbai, Shinde stated that he was not happy about Uddhav Thackeray resigning as the Maharashtra CM.

In an exclusive scoop, Republic TV has learnt that Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and other leaders might meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at around 3 pm to stake claim for government formation. Tomorrow, Fadnavis and Shinde will be sworn in as the CM and Deputy CM respectively, sources revealed. Other Ministers will be sworn in later. 

Taking to Twitter, MNS chief Raj Thackeray made his first comment on the vacuum in Maharashtra resulting from Uddhav Thackeray's resignation as the CM. He stated, "When anyone misunderstands good fortune as one's personal accomplishment; therein begins the journey towards one's decline". 

Addressing a press briefing in Panaji, Eknath Shinde camp MLA Deepak Kesarkar said, "We were against our allies (NCP and Congress). We never intended to disrespect Uddhav ji. People voted for us as Shiv Sena-NJP alliance". He added, "Eknath Shinde is headed to Mumbai. Fadnavis ji will also take a decision Sanjay Raut's statement was very wrong. He called us backstabbers which is wrong. Balasaheb Thackeray made an alliance with BJP and we want the same". 

Speaking to the media, rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde revealed, "MLAs are still here in Goa but I am going to Mumbai today". He is likely to meet Devendra Fadnavis later today. 

Speaking to the media after the meeting of Congress MLAs, Balasaheb Thorat remarked, "I feel that he (Uddhav Thackeray) should've faced trust vote but he gave his farewell speech at the end of Cabinet meeting itself. Uddhav Thackeray is a sensitive person with simple nature. He did not like a few things, so he resigned". He added, "All our MLAs were present for trust vote today. But now the next strategy will be discussed in today's meeting (in Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan)... there's no dispute in Congress regarding the name change of Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar". 

Accompanied by leaders such as Deepak Kesarkar, rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde left the Taj Convention hotel in Goa. He will proceed towards the Panaji airport to depart for Mumbai. 

Taking a swipe at the collapse of the MVA government, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra remarked, "My country is changing...Maharashtra is the state where for the first time a government has fallen in the name of Hindutva. Sanjay Raut Ji, your MLAs were not kidnapped and saffronized. The effect of Hanuman Chalisa is that forty MLAs left in forty days."

A meeting of Congress MLAs took place at the Vidhan Bhavan a day after Uddhav Thackeray's resignation as the Maharashtra CM. 

Eknath Shinde will reach Mumbai from Goa in a private jet by 1 pm, sources revealed. A meeting is likely to take place between Shinde and ex-Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis at the Taj President Hotel in Mumbai in the evening. Moreover, sources indicated that rooms have been booked for all the rebel MLAs in this hotel as well. 

In a letter dated June 29, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari wrote to Uddhav Thackeray accepting his resignation as the CM. Moreover, he urged him to continue as the caretaker CM until alternative arrangements are made. However, he added, "As a matter of convention, your caretaker government should merely carry out day-to-day government functions and desist from taking any major policy decision". 

A meeting of the BJP core committee is underway at the Sagar Bungalow- the residence of former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Maharashtra BJP in-charge CT Ravi, party leaders Chandrakant Patil, Girish Mahajan, Praveen Darekar and others are present at this meeting.

The internal meeting of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs is underway at the Taj Convention Hotel in Goa. Eknath Shinde is speaking to the legislators. While BJP wanted Shinde to come to Mumbai alone and have an in-person discussion about the way forward, the Thane strongman wants to go to Mumbai on Friday directly along with other MLAs in a show of strength. The discussion with BJP is on. 

Eknath Shinde will reach Mumbai at 12.30 pm and is likely to exit the Santacruz airport from the VIP gate. All other MLAs will stay put in Goa. Meanwhile, BJP national general secretary CT Ravi has reached the residence of Devendra Fadnavis. 

Taking to Twitter, rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde clarified, "There has been no discussion with the BJP about which and how many ministerial posts, it will happen soon. Until then, please don't believe the ministerial lists and rumors about it". He added, "Venerable emperor of Hindu hearts Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray's idea of Hindutva, Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb's teachings, overall development of Maharashtra and development works in the constituency of MLAs is our focus". 

Speaking to the media a day after Uddhav Thackeray resigned as the CM, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut asserted, "We got emotional yesterday when Uddhav Thackeray resigned as Chief Minister. Everyone has faith in Uddhav Thackeray; people of every caste and religion support him. Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar trust him". He also revealed that he will be going to the Enforcement Directorate office on July 1 in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam case.

As per sources, rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde might leave for Mumbai alone today to have a meeting with the BJP leadership. The other MLAs will be brought from Goa to Mumbai only after having a comprehensive discussion over the path going forward. The discussion regarding the same is going on. 

Taking to Twitter, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut shared a picture indirectly accusing the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs of backstabbing Uddhav Thackeray. 

Shiv Sena Minority Front demonstrated in support of Uddhav Thackeray in Jalgaon. Urging rebel MLA Gulabrao Patil to return, office-bearers and workers of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party protested on the streets by burning tires. 

Speaking exclusively to Republic TV after Uddhav Thackeray's resignation, Eknath Shinde camp spokesperson Deepak Kesarkar said, "Uddhav Sahab's resignation is not a matter of happiness for us. Amid the struggle with Congress and NCP, we were telling him to quit MVA. Despite saying this repeatedly, it did not happen. So, we had to take this step. We have to bring a good government so we are with whatever decision Shinde Sahab takes. Tomorrow, we have a meeting after which we will go to Mumbai and there is a possibility of the formation of a new government."

The infighting in MVA continues even as the Uddhav Thackeray-led government collapsed. As per sources, there is anger in Congress due to the name change of Aurangabad. Congress called a meeting of MLAs in the state Assembly at 9.30 am today. In the meeting, Muslim MLAs and leaders of Congress will register their protest against the renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad. Many Congress leaders, including Babasaheb Thorat, and Ashok Chavan will be present at the meeting.

In a massive development that could speed up the formation of a new government in Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis spoke to Eknath Shinde. As per sources, BJP general secretary and the party's Maharashtra in-charge CT Ravi will reach Mumbai today. The Maharashtra BJP core committee meeting will take place at 12 pm, sources added. 

After Uddhav Thackeray resigned as the Maharashtra CM, state NCP chief Jayant Patil hailed him for delivering good governance during his stint in power. Speaking to the media on Wednesday night, Patil who held the Water Resources and CAD portfolios in the MVA government lamented the rebellion of Shiv Sena legislators. On this occasion, he listed figures to dismiss the Eknath Shinde camp's allegation that the state government allocated paltry funds for development work in their constituencies in contrast to NCP legislators. 

In an exclusive scoop, Republic TV learnt that Eknath Shinde will brief the other Shiv Sena MLAs on the talks with BJP for government formation at around 10 am. It is likely that the rebels will fly to Mumbai around noon. Moreover, they might stay at the Taj President Hotel in Colaba where the BJP leadership is staying at present. 

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari is likely to meet MLAs today in order to explore the possibility of the formation of a new government. Earlier, sources told Republic TV that Devendra Fadnavis will take oath as the CM of Maharashtra for the third time on July 1. 

After Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray resigned from his post, the Maharashtra Legislature issued a circular informing all MLAs that the special Assembly session won't take place today. This is because there is no need to hold a floor test now. 

Weighing in on the collapse of the government, Congress leader and ex-Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan opined, "Through the MVA, we gave Maharashtra a government that would take everyone along. This government had the strong support of citizens from all walks of life. The whole of Maharashtra is saddened by the untimely collapse of this government. In two and a half years, we made a sincere effort to do what we could in spite of a terrible crisis like the Corona. I have good wishes for the new rulers and there is a reasonable expectation that there will be no politics in the public interest work we have started."

The police have tightened security at the residences and offices of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs in the wake of the resignation of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. The rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde are expected to reach Mumbai today morning. A chartered flight carrying them landed at the Dabolim airport in Goa on Wednesday night. They are currently staying in a five-star hotel at Dona Paula near Panaji.  The police are on alert to avoid any untoward incident across Maharashtra following the resignation of Uddhav Thackeray, an official said.

"Security at the residences and offices of rebel MLAs has been increased. Police personnel and SRPF have been deployed at all the important locations," the official said. The police fear that Shiv Sena cadres will come out on the streets to stage protests against the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs and security has been tightened accordingly

Minutes after the Supreme Court refused to stay the floor test scheduled on June 30, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray resigned as the Maharashtra CM in a televised address on Wednesday night. While expressing gratitude towards Congress and NCP for supporting him, he lamented that his own party MLAs had deserted him. On this occasion, he also resigned as a member of the state Legislative Council. At about 11.45 pm, Thackeray handed over his resignation to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari who asked him to continue as the caretaker CM till an alternative arrangement is made.

The Maharashtra government plunged into a crisis on June 21 after senior Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and other party MLAs went incommunicado and went to the Le Meridian hotel in Surat. While the rebels urged Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to sever ties with NCP and Congress and return to the NDA fold, the latter refused to accept this demand. As the rebels shifted to a Guwahati hotel, Shiv Sena filed a petition seeking the disqualification of 16 party MLAs. Subsequently, they challenged the disqualification proceedings and Eknath Shinde's replacement as the Legislative Party leader in the SC.

On Monday, an SC bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala extended the time granted by Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal to the rebels to submit their response to the disqualification petition until July 12. Moreover, the state government assured that no harm will be caused to the lives, liberty and properties of the 39 MLAs and their families. Overall, 39 Shiv Sena MLAs, 7 Independents and 2 Prahar Janshakti Party legislators rebelled against the MVA thereby reducing the three-party coalition to a minority. 

The final nail in the coffin for the MVA government was Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari ordering a floor test on June 30.  This came in the wake of Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and 7 Independent MLAs putting forth this demand. In a letter addressed to Legislative Assembly Secretary Rajendra Bhagwat, Koshyari opined, "After having carefully gone through all the material available before me including the reports in electronic and print media, I am of the opinion that a floor test for proving the majority of the Chief Minister is imperative to ensure that the government continues to function with the confidence of the House".

While the vacation bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala agreed to hear Shiv Sena Chief Whip Sunil Prabhu's plea against the floor test, it refused to grant immediate relief after a marathon 3 and a half-hour hearing. However, it clarified that the proceedings of the trust vote will be subject to the final outcome of the instant writ petition as well as the Shinde camp's plea. With the rebel MLAs being allowed to vote, the MVA government was clearly short of numbers. 

Speaking to Republic Media Network, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil when asked about its course of action, said that BJP is a pan-India party and decisions are taken after deliberations. "Tomorrow, Devendra Fadnavis and I will go to Delhi and meet Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda. The meeting is not fixed yet but we are in no hurry," Patil said. He also advised party workers to observe restraint in victory. Moreover, Devendra Fadnavis who is likely to be the next CM of Maharashtra told reporters, "I will tell the party's stand tomorrow for sure".