Maharashtra Tussle Ends, Eknath Shinde To Be Deputy Chief Minister:Sources

Devendra Fadnavis, who met Governor CP Radhakrishnan today and staked claim to form government, had dropped hints that he has persuaded Eknath Shinde to join the government.

Eknath Shinde, who bowed out of the race for Maharashtra's Chief Minister post last week and has been keeping a low profile since, will join the Devendra Fadnavis government as his Deputy, sources have told NDTV. Mr Fadnavis will take oath tomorrow in Mumbai, preparations for which are in progress. There is speculation that two Deputies will take oath alongside - Ajit Pawar has already given a teaser, saying he would also take oath tomorrow.

Mr Fadnavis, who met Governor CP Radhakrishnan today and staked claim to form government, had dropped hints that he has persuaded Mr Shinde to join the government at a meeting last evening.

"Yesterday I requested Eknath Shinde to remain in the cabinet... which I hope he would... The Chief Minister post is just a technical agreement between us... we have been together to take decisions and will continue to do so," he said, expressing "special thanks" to his predecessor in the top post.