Mumbai: Eknath Shinde was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday evening, ending nearly two weeks of uncertainty over his political future. The Shiv Sena leader, who had been vying for the Chief Minister’s post, accepted the role as Devendra Fadnavis’ deputy in a move that capped intense political speculation.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after Devendra Fadnavis assumed office as Chief Minister. Eknath Shinde took his oath at approximately 5:30 pm, but not without adding a personal touch. As he began, Shinde veered off the official script to express gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He also paid homage to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and his political mentor, the late Anand Dighe.
Shinde’s impromptu remarks caught Governor CP Radhakrishnan off guard. The Governor, who began administering the oath, was interrupted as Shinde took over with a 40-second address before resuming the formal pledge. The unexpected deviation drew puzzled reactions from attendees, including the Prime Minister.
Tribute to Mentors
After the ceremony, Shinde’s office announced plans for him to visit the memorials of Balasaheb Thackeray in Mumbai’s Colaba and Anand Dighe in Thane, underscoring his commitment to the ideological roots of his political journey.
Eleventh-Hour Drama
In the hours leading up to the event, Shinde’s participation in the swearing-in ceremony was uncertain. Sources indicated that he was reconsidering his position in the new government after losing out on the Chief Minister’s post. This last-minute hesitation was reportedly linked to negotiations over cabinet allocations.
Shinde’s faction of the Shiv Sena is expected to secure several high-profile portfolios, including the Home Ministry, currently held by Fadnavis. Water Resources and the Public Works Department are among other significant ministries likely to be assigned to the Shinde Sena.
Power-Sharing Dynamics
The BJP, which has retained the Chief Minister’s post, is expected to control around 20 cabinet berths, while the Shinde Sena will receive approximately a dozen. The exact allocation of ministries remains unclear, but the negotiations highlight the high stakes involved in forming the new government.
As Maharashtra’s political scene stabilizes after weeks of back-and-forth, all eyes will now be on the power-sharing equation between the BJP and the Shinde Sena in this coalition government.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Pic Credit – The Economic Times
