Eknath Shinde kept BJP dangling on joining Maharashtra govt, governor got letter just 3 hours before swearing-in event | Thane News

Devendra Fadnavis’s swearing-in as Maharashtra CM was delayed due to last-minute uncertainty over Eknath Shinde’s acceptance of the deputy CM post.

MUMBAI: Devendra Fadnavis’s letter to governor C P Radhakrishnan stating that he would take oath at 5.30pm as CM along with two deputy CMs reached Raj Bhavan only at 2.30pm on Thursday, barely three hours before the swearing-in, as there was uncertainty until afternoon about whether Eknath Shinde would agree to be sworn in as deputy CM.
Tension mounted in the BJP camp in the absence of a letter from Shinde till Thursday morning; Shinde has been insisting on portfolios of his choice.
However, in the morning, Shiv Sena‘s Uday Samant, Bharat Gogawale, Ravi Phatak and Sanjay Shirsat persuaded him to join the govt as deputy CM, stating that the row over allotment of portfolios could be resolved at a later stage.
Following their marathon meeting, Shinde agreed to take oath as deputy CM and a letter signed by him was submitted to Fadnavis.
It was then that Fadnavis sent his letter to the governor. He could have sent his name and that of Ajit Pawar, but he waited for Shinde’s confirmation, sources said.
A top bureaucrat told TOI the oath-taking ceremony was confirmed only after written communication was received from CM-designate Fadnavis stating he along with Shinde and Ajit Pawar would take oath.
Elaborating, the bureaucrat said after the meeting of the BJP legislature party on Wednesday, a delegation comprising Shinde, Ajit Pawar and Fadnavis had called on the governor to stake claim for formation of govt. They submitted a list of 237 MLAs supporting the Mahayuti.
Also, separate letters were given by the BJP legislature party, Sena legislature party and NCP legislature party pledging support to Mahayuti.