November 27, 2024 01:50 (IST)
Follow us:
Mumbai, Oct 31 (IBNS): 44-year-old BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn-in as Maharashtra's new Chief Minister on Friday at a gala ceremony at the Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium, media reported.
Fadnavis took his oath in front of a packed stadium. A small number of cabinet ministers were also sworn in which was attended by many VIPs.
New cabinet included senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse and Pankaja Munde, daughter of deceased BJP leader Gopinath Munde. Both Khadse and Pankaja were sworn-in as cabinet ministers, media reported.
Several central ministers including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders, Bollywood celebrities, industrialists and who’s who from all sections of the society all attended the ceremony.
The list included Veteran BJP leader LK Advani, BJP President Amit Shah, BJP Leaders Shahnawaz Hussain & Om Mathur, NCP leader Praful Patel and outgoing CM Congress’ Prithviraj Chavan.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who was also in CM’s race, also shared the same dias, near to the small dias where new CM took oath.
After taking oath as the state’s 27th CM, Devendra Fadnavis was greeted by supporters.
Among the Bollywood celebrities who attended the event included Mugdha Godse, Poonam Dhillon among others.
But one of the main attractions of the ceremony was the presence of estranged ally Shiv Sena’s chief Udhav Thackeray, who was present at the oath taking ceremony along with son, Aditya.
Thackeray was seated five people away from the Prime Minister. Modi was seen shaking hands with Thackeray, after the latter arrived.
According to media reports, Shiv Sena chief decided to come to the event in the last minute after persuasion by Amit Shah, who called him and requested Thackeray to be at the event.
Earlier, Thackeray had decided to stay away from the swearing-in ceremony of first BJP Government in Maharashtra, after the BJP rejected his party's demand for its leaders to be included in the small cabinet that took oath on Friday.
BJP is still holding discussions with Shiv Sena over a possible coalition.
The BJP contested alone in recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly polls after ending its 25-year alliance with the Shiv Sena last month over a seat-sharing disagreement.
Image: Devendra Fadnavis official Facebook page
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Bangladesh defends arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, dismisses India’s concerns as 'unfounded' Tue, Nov 26 2024
'EVMs are not tampered when you win elections?': SC to petitioner seeking ballot paper voting Tue, Nov 26 2024
Woman from Assam stabbed to death in Bengaluru hotel by boyfriend Tue, Nov 26 2024
Home Ministry responds to Allahabad HC on petition claiming Rahul Gandhi's UK citizenship Tue, Nov 26 2024
India expresses deep concern over arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, urges Yunus-led government to ensure safety of minorities Tue, Nov 26 2024
Eknath Shinde resigns as Maharashtra CM amid suspense over top post Tue, Nov 26 2024
President Droupadi Murmu releases commemorative coin, stamp and books on Constitution Day Tue, Nov 26 2024