After a heated meeting at his residence Varsha in Mumbai, Eknath Shinde has agreed to become the Deputy CM of Maharashtra, joining hands with Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in forming the state's new government. The swearing-in ceremony is set for December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Fadnavis emphasized that the post of Chief Minister is a "technical arrangement" and he will work with his two deputies to lead Maharashtra to greater heights.
Maharashtra Political Turmoil: Eknath Shinde Appointed as Deputy Chief Minister
After weeks of intense political drama, Eknath Shinde has agreed to become the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The decision was reached after a heated meeting at Varsha, the official residence of the Chief Minister in Mumbai.
Background:
In mid-June, a rebellion broke out within the Shiv Sena, the ruling party in the state. Shinde, a senior party leader and the then Urban Development Minister, led a group of MLAs in a revolt against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The rebels, aligning with former BJP Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, claimed that Thackeray was neglecting the interests of the Shiv Sena and alienating its cadre. They also demanded that the party reconsider its alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Indian National Congress (INC), which they viewed as anti-Hindu.
Formation of the New Government:
With Shinde's defection, the Thackeray government lost its majority in the state assembly. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari invited Fadnavis to form a new government, but he declined. Instead, he recommended the imposition of President's Rule.
However, the Supreme Court intervened and ordered a floor test in the assembly to determine the majority. In a dramatic vote, the Fadnavis-led BJP and Shinde-led rebels proved their majority, forcing Thackeray to resign.
Eknath Shinde as Deputy Chief Minister:
On December 5, Shinde was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister alongside Fadnavis, who became the Chief Minister. Ajit Pawar, a senior NCP leader, was also sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister.
Technical Arrangement:
Fadnavis has emphasized that the post of Chief Minister is a "technical arrangement" and that he will work closely with his two deputies to govern Maharashtra. He has assured that the government will focus on development, job creation, and addressing the concerns of the people.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1: Why did Eknath Shinde rebel against Uddhav Thackeray? A: Shinde accused Thackeray of sidelining the Shiv Sena and ignoring its Hindutva ideology. He also opposed the alliance with NCP and INC.
Q2: What is the significance of the Deputy Chief Minister's post for Eknath Shinde? A: The Deputy Chief Minister's post is a key position in the state government and gives Shinde significant influence in policymaking and administration.
Q3: Will the new government be stable? A: The stability of the government will depend on the unity and cooperation between Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar. However, there may be challenges ahead, especially given the history of defections and political alliances in Maharashtra.
Q4: What are the key priorities of the new government? A: The government has announced its focus on development, job creation, and addressing issues such as farmers' welfare, education, and healthcare.
Q5: What is the role of the BJP in the new government? A: The BJP is the largest party in the ruling coalition and is providing significant support to the government. However, it has emphasized that the government will be led by Fadnavis and his two deputies.
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