Maharashtra government formation: Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar resign! Uddhav Thackeray set to be new CM

Maharashtra government formation: In yet another twist, Devendra Fadnavis resigned as the Maharashtra chief minister on Tuesday evening, days after taking oath. The resignation came hours after his deputy and Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar tendered his resignation in a major setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state. After the latest developments, the way is now clear for Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP alliance to form the government in state with Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister.

Addressing the media, Fadnavis said that even though BJP contested with Shiv Sena in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections, the mandate was given to it as the party won 70 percent seats it contested. "In elections clear majority was given to Mahayuti and BJP got maximum 105 seats. We contested  with Shiv Sena, but this mandate was for BJP because BJP won 70 percent seats out of all seats we contested," he said.

The ex-Maharashtra CM added that Shiv Sena had told BJP before election that they will go with anyone which gives them the CM post. He said that BJP waited for Shiv Sena for long but never heard back.

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"We waited for them(Shiv Sena) for a long time but they didn't respond and instead talked to Congress-NCP. People who never stepped outside Matoshree (Thackeray residence) to meet anyone were going door to door to make government with NCP and Congress," he said, while wishing luck to whoever forms the government in the state.

"But that will be a very unstable govt as there is huge difference of opinions," Fadnavis added as he took pot-shots at Shiv Sena by saying that the latter is so hungry for power that its even ready to ally with Sonia Gandhi.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has announced that after resigning, Ajit Pawar is with the new alliance and Uddhav Thackeray will be the new chief minister of the state. "Ajit dada has resigned and he is with us. Uddhav Thackeray will be the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for 5 years," he said.