Maharashtra, Jun 30, 2022, By Agencies

Maharashtra June 30: Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde was Thursday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra while BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis took oath as his deputy. Fadnavis and Shinde earlier met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhawan where they staked claim for government formation in Maharashtra.

Addressing a press conference, Fadnavis said the Shiv Sena, by joining hands with the Congress and the NCP in 2019 to overthrow BJP, had insulted the public mandate. He further claimed rampant corruption during the rule of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government while quoting two NCP leaders accused of corruption. Fadnavis had earlier said that he will not be a part of the Shinde-led ministry, but will offer every support from outside.

At the press briefing, Eknath Shinde said the BJP, with 106 MLAs and independents, has the support of 120 MLAs and added that if the party wished it could have kept the CM post with itself. “I express my deep gratitude to PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Devendra Fadnavis,” he said. Shinde will be sworn in as the new chief minister of Maharashtra today evening. Shinde arrived in Mumbai from Goa on Thursday. He was provided with a Z category security cover by the Centre.