Eknath Shinde to be new Maharashtra CM, to take oath on June 30

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 30

: Amid the Maharashtra political crisis and a day after Uddhav Thackeray resigns from his designation, Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will take oath as the Maharashtra Chief minister today.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement on Thursday after meeting Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari to stake a claim to form the government in the state.

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As per the sources, the oath-taking ceremony of Shinde as Maharashtra CM will be held at 7.30 pm today. While addressing the media, Fadnavis said, "Eknath Shinde to be the Maharashtra Chief Minister, oath ceremony to be held at 7.30 pm today.” As per the sources, the BJP has 106 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly and Shinde is leading 39 rebel Shiv Sena legislators and some Independents. After the death of a Shiv Sena MLA recently, the current strength of the Assembly is reduced to 287, thus the majority mark is 144. Earlier today, a spokesperson of the Shinde camp, Deepak Kesarkar said that rebels have given Shinde full authority to take a decision on the cabinet berth-sharing in the government. He said that they did not revolt for the cabinet berths, but for the development of the state.

Maharashtra Assembly Secretary Rajendra Bhagwat has informed all state MLAs that as per the Governor's orders the special session that was scheduled on Thursday will now not be convened. In a circular, Rajendra Bhagwat, Principal Secretary, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, informed all state MLAs that as per the Governor's orders, there's no need for a floor test now, so today's special session will not be convened. The Floor Test that was convened by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was challenged in the Supreme Court by the Shiv Sena. Thackeray addressed the people of the state via social media in which he announced his decision to step down as chief minister and as a Member of the Legislative Council.

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Thackeray, whose party's internal revolt brought down the MVA government, said he came to power in "an unexpected manner" and was "going out in a similar fashion". -PTC News