SHOCKER: 22 Shiv Sena MLAs set to break away to support BJP-led Maha govt say sources

With BJP-NCP coalition government formed, sources have reported on Saturday that 22 Shiv Sena MLAs have broken away to support BJP-led government. Moreover, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has claimed that Ajit Pawar has betrayed Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance, by taking oath as deputy CM of Maharashtra. Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray and NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar are scheduled to address media at 12:30 PM, clarifying party's stance.

BIG TWIST: Sharad Pawar says 'Ajit Pawar's decision t NCP', as BJP-led Maha govt forms

Sharad Pawar says 'Ajit Pawar's decision t NCP'

After surprise oath ceremony of Devendra Fadnavis as CM, NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar has tweeted that decision to support Fadnavis-led government was t supported by NCP. He added that this was a personal decision of Ajit Pawar himself. He placed on record that we do t support or endorse this decision of his. But BJP MLA  Girish Mahajan has claimed that Ajit Pawar has submitted letter of all 54 NCP MLAs' support to Goverr. 

Maharashtra: NCP splits, Ajit pawar takes MLAs away from Pawar camp say sources

Fadnavis takes oath as CM

Pulling biggest surprise in Maharashtra politics, Devendra Fadnavis took oath as Chief Minister of Maharashtra in presence of Goverr Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhawan around 8 AM. NCP leader Ajit Pawar was sworn in as his Deputy CM. With Fadnavis taking oath as next CM BJP with 105 seats, NCP with 54 seats, independent MLAs and allies will combine to form next government in Maharashtra. Final government strength is still awaited.

PM Modi exudes confidence for 'bright future' of Maharashtra, as BJP-NCP form govt

Uddhav as CM?

Earlier on Friday, after joint meeting of Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP, Sharad Pawar in a massive statement revealed that re was unanimity on Uddhav Thackeray being Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He added that discussions between parties would continue tomorrow. Furrmore, he exuded confidence that tie-up would be formally anunced on Saturday. As of Friday, with Uddhav Thackeray at helm, Congress and NCP were going to form next government with a Deputy CM each.

BIG: NCP dumps Congress, Ajit Pawar becomes Deputy CM in BJP-led Maha govt

BJP-Shiv Sena tussle

Almost a month after Mahayuti was awarded mandate during Maharashtra Assembly polls, state was awaiting a government formation while being under President's rule. As  BJP-Shiv Sena's 'Mahyuti' of 35 years fell out at state-level, after Maharashtra Assembly polls with Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray insisting a 50-50 sharing of Chief Minister post for 2.5 years and portfolios and Fadnavis refused to se demands, Shiv Sena had allied with NCP-Congress combination to form a new alliance - 'Maha Vikas Aghadi'. Mahayuti alliance swept Maharashtra on October 24, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56). Meanwhile, Maha Agadhi alliance (NCP-Congress) won  98 seats (NCP- 54, Congress- 44 ). halfway mark in 144 in 288 seat-Assembly.