Mumbai / Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra CM again, NCP's Ajit Pawar as Dy CM

In a dramatic turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Chief Minister on Saturday along with Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar as the deputy chief minister.

The BJP staked claim to form the government on Saturday morning after which the governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari asked the Centre to withdraw the rule in Maharashtra.

Until late last night the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena were holding talks to form the next government in Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar was present in this meeting. It was widely expected that the three parties will hold a press conference to announce the modalities of their government.

“I took this decision as the discussions of the alliance of the three parties Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena was not ending. There was a need to give a stable government in Maharashtra,” said Pawar, nephew of NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

It is not yet clear whether Ajit Pawar has split the NCP or he has the backing of his uncle and the entire party.

Sharad Pawar had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi day on Thursday for 40 minutes in Delhi.

“There was a need to form a stable government in Maharashtra. I want to thank Ajit Pawar for giving us this support. Along with Pawar there are section of MLAs and other independent legislators who are supporting us. We will now prove our majority on the floor of the house,” said Fadnavis after taking oath.

“The mandate of the people was for BJP-Sena but since the latter insulted this mandate we took this decision,” he said.

“Congratulations to @Dev_Fadnavis Ji and @AjitPawarSpeaks Ji on taking oath as the CM and Deputy CM of Maharashtra respectively. I am confident they will work diligently for the bright future of Maharashtra,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.