Fadnavis was sworn in as chief minister early on Saturday

Fadnavis was sworn in as chief minister early on Saturday

Fadnavis was sworn in as chief minister early on Saturday

In a stunning turnaround in the political drama in Maharashtra, the BJP, under care-taker chief minister Devendra Fadnavis formed the government in Maharashtra early on Saturday morning, with support from Ajit Pawar of the NCP, who has apparently broken away from his uncle Sharad Pawar. Fadnavis was sworn in as chief minister, early on Saturday by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Ajit Pawar was sworn in as deputy chief minister.

The development comes even as the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP finalised their plans to form a coalition government in Maharashtra on Saturday. Earlier, there had been speculation that Ajit Pawar could break away from the NCP, which has a total of 54 MLAs, and support the BJP.

Ajit Pawar claimed he decided to support the BJP as he wanted to ensure welfare of farmers.

(STORY WILL BE UPDATED)