Shiv Sena, Congress, NCP party workers during the swearing-in ceremony at Shivaji Park. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray Oath Ceremony HIGHLIGHTS: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray Thursday assured the people of good governance in the state. “I want to help the farmers in a manner which will make them happy,” he said after chairing the first cabinet meeting of newly-sworn MLAs of the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena combine.
Uddhav, 59, is the 19th chief minister of the state and third from the Shiv Sena. The youngest of Bal Thackeray’s three children, Uddhav was an unlikely candidate to helm the Shiv Sena. Though he has organizational experience, he has not held any official position so far and may face challenge from the stalwarts of the Congress and NCP in the government’s functioning.
Among those present at his oath-taking ceremony were DMK Chief MK Stalin, Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, Congress’ Ahmed Patel, Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and MNS chief Raj Thackeray. Senior Congress leaders Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, however, chose to skip the event.
Earlier in the day, the Sena-Congress-NCP combine released their Common Minimum Program, with attention to farmers’ crisis, unemployment, and health and industry sectors in the state. The preamble of the CMP assures that the three-party coalition commits to “uphold the secular values enshrined in the Constitution.”
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Wednesday. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
In the first cabinet meeting held today, Uddhav Thackeray has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for restoration of Raigad Fort of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Rs 606 crore project was sanctioned and work had started during Devendra Fadnavis government of BJP and Sena. Uddhav also reassured big decision to help farmers will be taken in next two days, adding that there is no ambience of fear or intimidation in governance.
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray chaired the first cabinet meeting today and assured relief for farmers. "I want to assure the people of the state that we will give a good government. I want to help the farmers in a manner which will make them happy." Uddhav said his government will announce big decision to give relief to Maharashtra farmers in two days. The Common Minimum Program of the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena combine also promised immediate loan waiver to farmers. "This is govt for all people," he said on claims by former CM Fadnavis that Vidarbha, Marathwada regions were ignored by the new govt.
Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi shared pictures of the swearing-in ceremony of party chief Uddhav Thackeray as Maharashtra CM
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held his first cabinet meeting at Sahyadri Guest House here after taking oath of office on Thursday evening.
Shiv Sena ministers Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai, Congress ministers Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut and NCP ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Jayant Patil were seen arriving at the venue of the meeting in south Mumbai. Thackeray heads the `Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi' of three parties.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray chaired the first cabinet meeting of newly-sworn MLAs of the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena combine, shortly after taking oath as chief minister of the state.
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray's swearing-in ceremony as Maharashtra chief minister saw six of his predecessors from the state gracing the event held at the Shivaji Park here on Thursday evening.
NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi, Congress leaders Sushilkumar Shinde, Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan and BJP's Devendra Fadnavis are the six former CMs who headed the state at different times and were present at the mega event.
Thackeray succeeded Fadnavis (2014-2019). Pawar has headed the state four times, while Ashok Chavan and Fadnavis became chief ministers twice. Joshi, Shinde, Prithviraj Chavan and Fadnavis held the post once. Interestingly, among all the six former CMs, only Fadnavis, the first BJP leader to hold the top post in the state, completed full five-year term.
Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray shared a video of him taking oath today. Watch here-
Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as the state's new CM, congratulated him
MLAs from the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena combine have arrived at the first cabinet meeting to be chaired by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray
NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who had briefly supported the BJP, congratulated Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray on taking oath as Maharashtra's chief minister today. "Under his leadership, the state will develop as a whole," he tweeted.
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, along with his wife Rashmi & their son Aaditya Thackeray offer prayers at Siddhivinayak Temple.
The BJP sought to corner the Congress on Thursday over the Shiv Sena praising Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse in the past and wondered if this was why Rahul Gandhi was "ashamed" to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Maharashtra government.
The Congress-NCP alliance in Maharashtra has joined hands with the Sena, a long-time Hindutva ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before they split, and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was sworn-in as the chief minister on Thursday.
"Stop being a hypocrite Rahul Gandhi. You are making someone with identical views Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Udhav Thackeray, Editor-In-Chief of Saamana, wrote that Godse was a Patriot. Is that why you are ashamed to attend swearing-in," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said in a tweet. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on taking oath as chief minister of Maharashtra. "I am confident he will work diligently for the bright future of Maharashtra," he said.
Long stints in electoral politics and past experience in handling key government departments are the hallmarks of Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena legislators who took oath as ministers along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray at the Shivaji Park here on Thursday evening.
Thackeray is heading a coalition government, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), whose main constituents are the Sena, the Congress and the NCP.
Chhagan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil (both from the NCP), Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut (both from the Congress), Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai (both from the Sena) took oath as ministers along with Thackeray.
The oath-taking ceremony of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and others concludes.
Uddhav, 59, is the 19th chief minister of the state and third from the Shiv Sena. He will lead the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance in the state, over a month after results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections were declared on October 24.
Congress leaders Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut take oath as Ministers.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Chandrakant Bhujbal takes oath as minister.
NCP leader Jayant Patil takes oath as minister in Mumbai.
Shiv Sena leaders Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai take oath as ministers.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray took oath as the chief minister of Maharashtra.
Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has arrived at the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray and other MLAs from Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena. Uddhav will take oath as CM shortly
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal and Praful Patel at the oath-taking ceremony of CM designate Uddhav Thackeray and other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a letter to Uddhav Thackeray: "I am very happy to know that you are taking oath as the 19th Chief Minister of Maharashtra. It is a historic event and I commend you on your visionary leadership."
MNS chief Raj Thackeray, DMK leader MK Stalin, Congress leaders Kamal Nath, Kapil Sibal and Mallikarjun Kharge and NCP leader Praful Patel are among those present at the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will take oath as Maharashtra chief minister shortly at 6.40 pm. He will be the first in the Thackeray clan, and the third Sena leader to become chief minister of the state.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a letter to Chief Minister-designate Uddhav Thackeray, says the people of Maharashtra have high expectations from the coalition. "I am confident it will provide them a stable, secular and pro-poor government," Gandhi says.
No formal invitation has been extended to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for the oath-taking ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister of Maharashtra
Apart from Uddhav and Shinde, Subhash Desai will also take oath as Minister, Sena sources told The Indian Express
Jaya Bachchan, Samajwadi Party congratulated Uddhav Thackeray on his oath-taking ceremony as chief minister of Maharashtra today: "Thackeray family and we share a deep and old relationship. My heartiest congratulations to him on becoming Chief Minister. I sincerely hope he works towards the betterment of Maharashtra, provides relief to farmers and gives youth employment."
In a letter to Congress MLA Balasaheb Thorat, party president Sonia Gandhi said she is confident that the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena combine will "uphold Constitution, value of democracy" in Maharashtra.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi said she is unable to attend the swearing-in ceremony in Maharashtra today. In a letter to Uddhav Thackeray, Gandhi said "Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress have come together under quite extraordinary circumstances, at a time when country faces unprecedented threats from BJP. I regret that I'll not be able to be present at the ceremony."
Six MLAs, including Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will take oath today. Thackeray will take the oath as the chief minister of Maharashtra, becoming the first in the Thackeray clan to do so.
Other ministers to be sworn-in today
Shiv Sena: Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde
NCP: Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal
Congress: Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut
Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena: There will be a compulsion and a law will be enacted to ensure 80 percent reservation for locals in existing and new companies.
The first cabinet meeting of the new NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena government will be held at 8 pm today, after the oath-taking ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister, and six other MLAs
The Sena-Congress-NCP's CMP also promises free education to girls from weaker economic backgrounds and the construction of hostels for working women to ensure safety.
Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena said the 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' (NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena alliance) will take a decision on the Nanar Refinery Project and bullet train project in cabinet meeting. "In Maharashtra, farmers are facing problems. This government will do best for farmers. This will be a strong govt," he said.
Former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and State BJP president Chandrakant Patil will attend the swearing in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister at Shivaji Park today evening
The Congress, sources had told The Indian Express, was keen that the word “secular” finds mention in the Common Minimum Programme and the suggestion had emerged as a sticking point. The Congress climbed down when it was decided the CMP will spell out that the new government will adhere to the Preamble of the Constitution.
The preamble of the Common Minimum Program of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' (NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena alliance) in Maharashtra commits to "uphold the secular valuese enshrined in the Constitution." "On contentious issues... having repercussions on the secular fabric, the Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress will take a joint view after holding consultations," it further said.
The Common Minimum Program of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' (NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena alliance) in Maharashtra promises immediate loan waiver to farmers in the state, apart from focusing on women empowerment, health sector, and urban development.
The past few weeks of political upheaval in Maharashtra have two important take-aways. First, that the BJP leadership, which kept projecting itself as an “outsider” to Delhi, has perfectly adapted to the Delhi culture and, second, the BJP’s rapid Congressisation, writes Girish Kuber
Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said he is "really happy" with the coming together of Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra as all three are "parties I had joined."
NCP leader Ajit Pawar said he will not take oath today. Six ministers two each from Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena will take oath along with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. The decision of deputy CM in NCP, however, has not been decided as yet, he said, reiterating his allegiance to the NCP. "Supriya Sule and he will together go to Shivaji Park to attend the swearing in ceremony," he said.
Ministers in the state cabinet will be announced in the coming days. Total six leaders, two from each party, will take oath today along with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, said NCP leader Praful Patel
NCP leader Ajit Pawar will not take oath as a minister today.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule tweeted, "Maa Saheb and Bala Saheb - missing you so much today. Both of you should have been here today. They treated me with so much love and affection more than a daughter! Their role in my life will always be special and memorable!"
Union minister Ramdas Athawale told ANI, "The BJP also could form a government after showing majority. Had the Supreme Court not given a deadline of 24 hours for the floor test, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar would not have resigned. It was difficult to prove majority in a short span of 24 hours."
Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said he will take oath as minister on Thursday evening in the new Maharashtra government of the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance. "NCP chief Sharad Pawar saheb has chosen two MLAs from the party to take oath as ministers and I am one of them. I will take oath as minister today evening," Bhujbal said. "Senior leaders from the party, including Pawar saheb, will decide on the portfolio issue," he added.
Speaking to ANI, Sena leader Eknath Shinde said, "We've invited all the big leaders from the Centre and states, including the Prime Minister. Aditya Thackeray himself went to invite Congress president Sonia Gandhi. We have also invited MNS chief Raj Thackeray. Everyone should witness the historic day."
Ajit Pawar arrives at Silver Oak, the residence of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Party leaders Jayant Patil and Praful Patel are already present at the residence.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut referred to actor Vicky Kaushal's punchline from the film "Uri: The Surgical Strike" to take a dig at the BJP. "How's the Josh? Jai Maharashtra," he tweeted.
Shiv Sena banners outside BJP office in Mumbai. (Express photo/Nirmal Harindran)
On reports that Ajit Pawar has switched off his mobile phone, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, "Ajit Pawar has not gone incommunicado, he has intentionally switched off his mobile phone to avoid frequent calls. He will attend the swearing-in ceremony."
DMK leader M K Stalin arrives in Mumbai.
The Shiv Sena editorial also read that former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has cursed the Sena-NCP-Congress government, saying the dispensation standing on three legs will not survive, but this is his "delusion". "There is no confusion among the three parties about development of the state," it added.
The current mood of happiness in the state can be equated with the one the entire country had at the time of Independence on August 15, 1947," the Shiv Sena said in its Marathi daily said. The Sena asserted that the state machinery will not be used for conspiring against anyone. Without naming the BJP, it said the Sena leader did not bow down to any pressure from the Centre. "At a time when prominent leaders from across the country are kneeling before rulers in Delhi, Uddhav Thackeray did not bow down to such pressure tactics. He did not compromise with his pride and refused to join hands with people who 'lied' to him," the Marathi publication said.
The Shiv Sena today heaped praises on NCP chief Sharad Pawar and termed him 'margdarshak' (guide) of the new government in the state. An editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' acknowledged Sharad Pawar's efforts in taking the Sena-NCP-Congress alliance forward. "A strong and experienced 'margdarshak' like Sharad Pawar is with us. This government will not function with any deceitful intention against anyone," the Sena said
DMK president M K Stalin has arrived in Mumbai to attend the swearing-in of Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister.
Uddhav’s father, late Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray, and cousin, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, have never contested elections. Another prominent father-son duo in Maharashtra politics were Congress leaders Shankarrao Chavan and his son Ashok, who have both served as chief ministers. While the overwhelming majority of chief ministers in Maharashtra have been from Congress, BJP has had only one CM while Sena has held the post twice. Uddhav Thackeray will be the third chief minister from the Sena ranks. No Maharashtra chief minister has been from the NCP.