Jayant Patil confirms Dy CM position still wide open before Uddhav Thackeray's swearing-in

NCP leader Jayant Patil on Wednesday revealed that a decision on who would be Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra was yet to be taken. Mentioning that two names for post had been zeroed in, he confirmed that 2 MLAs from NCP - Chhagan Bhujbal and himself would take oath as ministers on Thursday. Currently, a meeting between NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar is underway. Earlier, sources had indicated that NCP had chosen Jayant Patil as  Deputy CM after Ajit Pawar allegedly turned post down.  

Read: Jayant Patil To Be Sworn-in As Maharashtra Deputy CM After Ajit Pawar Declines : Sources

Read: NCP Releases List Of 162 MLAs, Ajit Pawar’s Name Missing: Letter Accessed

Uddhav Thackeray to take oath as CM

Since ne of major political parties could garner eugh numbers for government formation, President's Rule was imposed in Maharashtra on vember 12. Hectic parlays had been going on in NCP, Shiv Sena, and Congress camps to forge a post-poll alliance in State. However, Ajit Pawar's decision to ally with BJP to form government on vember 23 stumped opposition. On Monday evening, Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP paraded its 162 MLAs in Grand Hyatt hotel. After Supreme Court ordered an immediate floor test on Wednesday, Ajit Pawar put in his papers. He was followed by Devendra Fadnavis who too anunced his resignation. Later on Tuesday, Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance comprising Sena, Congress, and NCP staked claim to form government under leadership of Uddhav Thackeray. Shiv Sena supremo’s swearing-in ceremony will take place at Shivaji Park at 6.40 pm. 

Read: Rajendra Bhagwat Receives Letter From Jayant Patil, Says "speaker Will Decide"

Deputy CM from NCP

Addressing media on Tuesday, NCP leader Praful Patel said that re would only be one Deputy CM in government, who will be from NCP. Moreover, Speaker's post will go to Congress party. Meanwhile, Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray personally invited Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to his far's swearing-in ceremony. Ahead of Maharashtra CM's swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, Maha Vikas Aghadi is set to anunce its Common Minimum Programme. 

Read: All NCP MLAs Want Ajit Pawar To Stay In Party's Fold, Says Chhagan Bhujbal