On the evening of Thursday, Mr. Eknath Shinde was elected as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, thus bringing an end to the suspense over the Chief Ministerial position of the state. The chief of the Shiv Sena accepted the highest post, putting an end to the ambiguity after several months. The swearing-in (following Devendra Fadnavis’ being sworn in as Chief Minister), was an occasion to remember. Eknath Shinde becomes assistant Chief Minister of Maharashtra in a move praised by his party members and BJP allies alike.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Shinde for a moment deviated from the script and expressed thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He also expressed his gratitude to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and his mentor Anand Dighe. The brief deviation drew smiles and surprise from those present. Eknath Shinde became Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, taking the oath in a speech that reflected his allegiance to Sena’s legacy.
Shinde’s Speech On Becoming Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
After the ceremony, of assuming the office as Fadnavis’s deputy, Shinde’s first step was symbolic yet significant. He visited the memorials of Balasaheb Thackeray in Mumbai and Anand Dighe at Thane, making a point of it that he maintains adherence to the Shiv Sena’s legacy. The event came after several weeks of high-stakes bargaining, with Shinde emerging as the winner in the battle for the highest political office.
Shinde’s appointment wasn’t without drama. Until the eleventh hour, there were doubts about his participation in the oath ceremony. Sources revealed he reconsidered his stance, allegedly pushing for key cabinet berths. About the terms and conditions, the BJP and Shinde Sena have entrusted “20 ministries” to the BJP and “12 ministries” to the Shinde faction amongst themselves.
Even though exactly how the portfolios of the ministers will be assigned probably remains to be determined, based on sources from the Shinde camp, one of the targets seems to be to obtain posts in high-level portfolios, like Home, Water Resources, and Public Works. The composition of the new administration is also expected to be proposed soon. Eknath Shinde is the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, which signifies a new political era for the state.
Also, see: Devendra Fadnavis Becomes Maharashtra Chief Minister, Set to Take Oath Tomorrow