Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as first BJP CM of Maharashtra

NEW DELHI: Becoming the first BJP Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis was on Friday sworn-in as the CM of the state at Wankhede stadium. A 10-member BJP ministry led by Devendra Fadnavis was sworn-in.

Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray agreed to attend the swearing-in ceremony after a last-minute call from BJP President Amit Shah inviting him to the event.

Reaching out to a sulking Shiv Sena, Shah's call to Uddhav came a day after the Sena announced its boycott of the grand swearing-in ceremony of Fadnavis on grounds of its "constant humiliation" by BJP over government formation in Maharashtra.

Fadnavis is also understood to have called up Thackeray requesting his presence at the event this evening.

BJP had sent out invites to Shiv Sena chief Thackeray, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for the event.

Amidst uncertainty over Shiv Sena's role in the formation of the new government in Maharashtra, the party yesterday said its leaders would not attend Fadnavis' swearing-in.

Shiv Sena also provided covering fire to BJP from criticism for organising a lavish event, saying the ceremony will "wash off sins" of the previous government.

"You ( Congress and NCP) have looted Maharashtra in your 15-year-rule and siphoned off thousands of crores of public money. If you are now speaking about a huge amount of money being spent on the oath-taking ceremony, it is nothing but hilarious," the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.