- Maharashtra’s former CM, Eknath Shinde, takes oath as deputy chief minister in Devendra Fadnavis’ new cabinet, vowing to work as a team for the state’s development.
- Shinde emphasized his dedication to serving the “common man” in his new role, despite past disagreements over cabinet positions.
- Devendra Fadnavis assumed the CM position for the third time in a grand ceremony attended by political leaders, celebrities, and PM Modi.
Why did Eknath Shinde agree to be deputy CM?
After days of speculation, Eknath Shinde agreed to serve as deputy chief minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra cabinet. Shinde, who previously served as CM from 2022 to 2024 with Fadnavis as his deputy, hesitated to confirm his new role initially. Reports suggest that disagreements over the allocation of the home portfolio and assembly speaker position contributed to the delay.
Despite these differences, Shinde expressed his commitment to collaboration, stating, “I will extend all possible cooperation to the chief minister. We will work as a team.” Shinde added a personal touch by describing his journey from a “common man” to someone dedicated to the people of Maharashtra.
What happened during the oath-taking ceremony?
The oath-taking event was a grand affair held at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, with PM Narendra Modi leading the congratulatory remarks. Devendra Fadnavis, taking office as CM for the third time, was joined by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar as deputy chief ministers.
The ceremony was attended by Union ministers like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Nitin Gadkari, as well as CMs from NDA-ruled states, including Yogi Adityanath and Himanta Biswa Sarma. Adding glamour to the occasion were Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, and industrialist Mukesh Ambani.
What lies ahead for Maharashtra?
PM Modi expressed confidence in the new leadership, describing the team as a mix of “experience and dynamism.” He assured central support for Maharashtra’s development and praised the Mahayuti alliance for securing a historic mandate.
As the state moves forward under this coalition, all eyes are on the new cabinet to deliver on promises of good governance and meet the aspirations of the people. Will this team’s synergy overcome political challenges and bring transformative changes to Maharashtra? Time will tell.
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