The Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government won the vote of confidence in the Maharashtra state assembly through a voice vote on Wednesday.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Haribhau Bagade was also elected as the new Maharashtra Assembly Speaker today. Shiv Sena leader Eknath Khadse has been reportedly accorded the status of Leader of Opposition by Bagade.
The result is a relief for Fadnavis, as the support to his minority government from outside was unclear till the last minute. One time BJP ally Shiv Sena kept changing its stance from time to time.
NCP leader Majeed Memon said earlier today that for the sake of Maharashtra and its citizens, the NCP had decided to support BJP.
"We should respect what the public feels, and for the sake of Maharashtra and its citizens, there is a need for a stable government, because the state cannot go through elections again, it is a very costly affair and no one wants it. There was only one option that the BJP should be able to get majority in the state to form government. And for that the Nationalist Congress Party has taken a stand, but Shiv Sena's stand has been wavering and indecisive," said Majeed Memon
Earlier on Sunday, the Shiv Sena had abstained from attending the expansion of the Union Cabinet in New Delhi. The Shiv Sena had also asked its nominee Anil Desai to return to Mumbai from the national capital.
The BJP and Shiv Sena snapped their 25-year alliance in September ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls over a seat-sharing disagreement.
Following the polls, the BJP had emerged as the single largest party with 122 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly.
The Shiv Sena finished second with 63 seats. The NCP, which emerged victorious in 41 seats, has offered the BJP 'external support' to form the government in the state.
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