Kochi: Dispelling all speculations, the BJP sprang a surprise announcing the name of Shiv Sena rebel leader Eknath Shinde as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
The move has brought an end to the rumours of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis becoming the Chief Minister and his close friend Shinde taking the second position in the coalition government supported by hisrebel group.
Addressing a joint press conference
Fadnavis said he will keep off the ministry which will be sworn in at about 7.30 pm in the day.
Fadnavis said this after meeting the Governor
B S Koshyari.
He said the people voted for the BJP-Shiv Sena government, but the mandate was not honoured leading to the formation of Maha Vikas Akhadi government.
He said Shinde wanted to end the association with the NCP and Congress who supported the government. However, the outgoing Chief Minister Udhav Thackeray opposed it.
Shinde, who claimed support of 50 MLAs, thanked the generosity of Devendra for preferring him to be the Chief Minister even as the BJP was bigger in numbers.
Shinde said the government would get support from the Prime Minister, Home Minister and BJP president.
The outgoing Chief Minister quit as his government became a minority.
The BJP has 106 MLAs while Shinde is having the backing of 39 rebel Shiv Sena legislators and a few Independents.
The strength of the Assembly was reduced to 287 after the death of an MLA.
BJP springs surprise, Shinde to be new CM
