Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray,last evening, took oath as Maharashtra’s new Chief Minister in front of a packed Shivaji Park, the same iconic ground where his father late Bal Thackeray was cremated.
Mr. Thackeray took oath in the presence of Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. He was accompanied by six Cabinet ministers — two each from the Sena, Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The cabinet of six members includes Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai, NCP’s Jayant Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal, and Congress’ Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut. According to the sources from the government the cabinet’s very first decision after coming in charge could be that of farm loan waiver.
The vibrant oath taking ceremony of the prominent Shiv Sena leader was attended by celebrities from various industries, be it Bollywood, political or industrial field. The prominent national leaders who attended the event included DMK chief M.K. Stalin, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, senior Congress leaders Kapil Sibbal, Abhishek Manu Sanghvi, and Ahmad Patel, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, his nephew Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.
Business tycoons such as RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani, Raymond boss Gautam Singhania, and several developers, actors Milind Gunaji and Amol Kolhe were also present to take part in the celebrations.
Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil also attended the ceremony but were constantly jeered by the crowd of Sena supporters.
On completion of the mega event, Mr. Thackeray waved and greeted the crowd. His wife Rashmi and son Aaditya were also by his side but entire rank and file of Shiv Sena was missing. Thousands of Sainiks in saffron caps, chanted the traditional Sena chants of “Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji” and “Kon aala re, kon aala? Shiv Senecha wagh aala! (who has come? the Tiger of the Sena has come)”. After the ceremony, people were seen clicking pictures on the stage as well. Jain monks present on the platform blessed the new Chief Minister for his future endeavours.
