The political drama of Maharashtra is unfolding in a shocker at every step as BJP has concluded to not lead the new Government in the State. As all the political corridors and media outlets were assuming, if not sure that Devendra Fadnavis will be the repeating Chief Minister face, in an astonishing announcement at a press conference, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis declared Eknath Shinde will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

The dramatic announcement by Fadnavis, who will not be a part of the new dispensation, defied expectations that he would return as chief minister with the support of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction for a third term.

Fadavis said, "Shiv Sena and BJP fought elections together and got the mandate under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP got 106 seats, Shiv Sena had 56 seats, and with more support, our majority went up to 170. But after the elections, leaders of Shiv Sena took the decision against the ideologies of Shiv Sena Samrat Bala Saheb Thackrey and went into alliance with those whom Bala Saheb mentioned categorically that, "he would close his shop rather than going with that (Congress) party."

He continued, "For two and a half years this newly formed Govt was totally reckless, without ideology, closing down development projects and was deep down the corruption. Even after ministers who went to jail for money laundering, and had relationships with Dawood were never removed from the ministry. So, this kind of governance of allied Shiv Sena + NCP + Congress went on under the observation of Uddhav Thackrey."

Fadnavis then declared support of the Bhartiya Janta Party MLAs to rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde’s faction to form the government.

Eknath Shinde was also present during the press conference while BJP leader announced that Eknath Shinde will be swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai today evening.

The function will be an in-house ceremony to be led by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. On Thursday, Eknath Shinde will be the only minister who will be taking the oath, announced Fadnavis.

The former Maharashtra CM further announced that he will not be part of the Government and that Eknath Shinde's cabinet will be expanded later after the constituent parties select their MLAs to become ministers in the new government, and after that, they will take oath in a swearing-in ceremony to be held later.

“This is the battle of ideology, this is the battle of Hindutva. And hence we decided to whole-heartedly support Eknath Shinde who parted ways with the MVA government,” Fadnavis said.

He further added that once the swearing ceremony is done today, the Shinde group, alongside the BJP and other independents will negotiate the further expansion and distribution of ministerial portfolios.

"I will not betray the faith Fadnavis has placed in me," Shinde (58) told the media.

Speaking later, Shinde said he took the decision (to rebel against the MVA government) with the support of 50 MLAs, most of them of the Shiv Sena, for the development of the state, and "there was no personal interest involved." "There were limitations to the functioning of the MVA," he said.

Shinde, who was a senior minister in the Thackeray government, lauded Fadnavis for giving up the opportunity to become CM, saying the BJP leader showed large-heartedness in making "Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sainik" the next CM.

Eknath Shinde had a long discussion with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Thursday. His entourage of Rebel MLAs are stationed in Goa after returning from Guwahati on Wednesday. As per the numbers, The BJP has 106 MLAs, and additionally, with the Shinde faction which has 40 Shiv Sena MLAs plus 10 independents, the total figure becomes 156. The required halfway number to form a stake for the government in Maharashtra Assembly is 144.

Thanking BJP for offering the CM’s post to him, Eknath Shinde said, “BJP has over 100 MLAs but despite that Devendra Fadnavis didn’t take the post of CM. I express my gratitude to him along with PM Modi, Amit Shah & other BJP leaders that they showed generosity & made Balasaheb’s Sainik the CM of the state”.

The Mumbai police had made heavy security arrangements in view of Shinde's arrival in Mumbai.

Roads were emptied so that Shinde's cavalcade faces no hindrance while going to 'Sagar', the official bungalow of Fadnavis located at Malabar Hill.

Joint Commissioner of Police (law and order) Vishwas Nangre Patil led the cavalcade himself while other police officials stood guard throughout the route for quick movement and also to ensure that there were no protests by Shiv Sena supporters, an official said.

"Shinde, who landed at the Mumbai airport by a chartered flight this afternoon, was escorted by the senior police officials from the airport to South Mumbai. Traffic on the route was stopped to facilitate the passage of Shinde's convoy," officials said.

Some Shiv Sena workers, who tried to hold a protest outside 'Sagar', were detained, they added.

Gaurav Pradhan Statement

Remember Shri Ram finished Ravan but never took over Lanka.

He made vibhishan King of Lanka who made the win possible.

Maharastra is a total copy of Lanka's win.

Now you understand that Ramayan and Mahabharat have every solution to the problem.