'Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray...': Eknath Shinde Puts To Rest Speculation, Takes Oath As Dy CM

The Shiv Sena chief began his oath by asserting Bal Thackeray's legacy by invoking the name of party's founder.  

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde takes oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister at a grand ceremony at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The Shiv Sena chief began his oath, asserting Bal Thackeray's legacy by invoking the name of party's founder.  

Before the oath-taking, Shinde recalled Bal Thackeray and Anand Dighe and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah and the people of Maharashtra.  

Shinde's oath came shortly after Fadnavis took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Apart from Fadnavis and Shinde, Ajit Pawar also took oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers and chief ministers of various states besides thousands of supporters of the BJP-led Mahayuti, took place at the Azad Maidan ground.

Shinde's swearing in finally cleared the speculations around Shinde's role in the Mahayuti government. Although all the three leaders took oath on Thursday, the tensions in the Mahayuti seemed to persist as the trio was seen sitting separately. While Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were seen sitting together with PM Modi, Eknath Shinde was sitting away from the duo with Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan.  

Eknath Shinde Eyes Home Ministry

Shinde has had his eyes on the Home Ministry ever since Uddhav Thackeray took oath as CM in 2019. However, back then the department was alloted to NCP in the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi government. His next shot at the Home Ministry came in 2022  when he rebelled against Uddhav and broke away from the Shiv Sena, joining the BJP to form the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. This time too, he missed getting the portfolio as 'Big Brother' BJP decided to keep the ministry with Devendra Fadnavis heading the department.

Governor Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office to Fadnavis and his two deputies. Other members of the cabinet are likely to take oath before the winter session of the assembly starts, BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar had said earlier in the day.

Fadnavis emerged as the frontrunner for the top post as he was the face of the BJP's campaign and led the party to victory in 132 seats in the 288-member House. The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP `Mahayuti' coalition has a commanding majority of 230 seats.