LIVE: Uddhav invites PM Modi over phone for oath-taking ceremony

23:41 November 27

Uddhav Thackeray spoke to PM Narendra Modi over the phone to invite him to oath-taking ceremony.

This is in addition to an invitation letter which was sent to PM Narendra Modi. 

22:45 November 27

NCP leader, Praful Patel

Deputy CM to be from NCP, Cong to have Assembly Speaker, confirms Praful Patel

Earlier, NCP leader Praful Patel on Wednesday confirmed that the only Deputy Chief Minister in the new Maharashtra government will be from his party while the post of Assembly Speaker will go to the Congress.

"There will be only one Deputy Chief Minister and that will be from the NCP," he said while speaking to reporters after a meeting of Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena MLAs.

"How many ministers take the oath will be decided tonight. One or two MLAs from each party will take oath as ministers. The Speaker has been decided by all three parties. The Speaker will be from the Congress and Deputy Speaker from the NCP," added Patel.

The NCP leader, however, also clarified that "it is not decided yet how many ministers will take the oath with the Chief Minister tomorrow."

22:21 November 27

Aaditya in New Delhi, inviting Congress leaders for Uddhav's swearing-in ceremony

"We came here to seek her wishes and blessings for the new government. We have invited a lot of leaders. We are also seeking Dr Manmohan Singh's good wishes."

22:16 November 27

Aaditya Thackeray meets former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray meets former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's at the latter's residence to invite him for the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav. 

22:13 November 27

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray at Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi's residence

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray meets Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi's at the latter's residence to invite her for the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav. 

21:29 November 27

NCP's Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule leave YB Chavan Centre

NCP's Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule leave after attending the meeting of NCP-Shiv Sena-Congress MLAs at YB Chavan Centre. 

21:28 November 27

Shiv Sena leader, Aaditya Thackeray to invite Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi for the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray. 

21:27 November 27

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath to attend Uddhav Thackeray's swearing in ceremony.

21:27 November 27

Congress' Ahmed Patel after attending the meeting of NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena MLAs says to reporters, "We have sorted out all the issues, you will get to know tomorrow."

19:01 November 27

Bombay High Court on Wednesday raised security concerns over the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister at Mumbai's Shivaji Park.

17:49 November 27

Shiv Sena (15) ministers, NCP (13) ministers & Congress (13) ministers

Apart from Chief Minister, Shiv Sena to have 15 ministers, NCP to have Deputy Chief Minister and 13 other ministers. Congress will have Assembly Speaker and 13 ministers.

17:45 November 27

Have informed our MLAs about the oath-taking ceremony tomorrow: Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar after attending meeting of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs in Mumbai stated that Uddhav Thackeray will take oath as Chief Minister of Maharashtra on November 28 and he has informed MLAs about the programme. "Chief Minister will take oath tomorrow, I informed our MLAs about that programme and told them that all of us have to be there,"said Ajit Pawar. 

17:42 November 27

Uddhav Thackeray, swearing-in ceremony will be held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai

Vinayak Raut from the Shiv Sena informed that around 400 farmers from various districts have been invited for Uddhav Thackeray's swearing-in ceremony.

To give respect, the family members of those farmers who committed suicide have also been invited.

Preparations are underway at Shivaji Park, ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Thackeray. 

14:15 November 27

On Uddhav's oath ceremony, HC says such functions should not become regular feature at Shivaji park

The Bombay High Court raised security concerns over the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister at Mumbai's Shivaji Park, and said holding such functions at a public ground should not become a regular feature.
         
Henceforth, everyone will want to use the ground for such ceremonies, a division bench of Justices SC Dharmadhikari and RI Chagla said.
        
Thackeray will be sworn in as Maharashtra's chief minister at the Shivaji Park in Dadar on Thursday evening.

"We do not want to say anything about tomorrow's ceremony...we are only praying that nothing untoward happens," the court said while hearing a plea of NGO Wecom Trust on whether the Shivaji Park was a playground or a recreation ground.

13:43 November 27

Sena leaders celebrate in Parliament

Shiv Sena leaders were seen celebrating inside the Parliament premises in the national capital as party chief Uddhav Thackeray is all set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on November 28.

13:32 November 27

Ajit Pawar attends NCP MLAs' meet

NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who joined hands with the BJP last week to form government in Maharashtra but quit it later, attended a meeting of his party MLAs at the Y B Chavan Centre.

Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil, and senior party leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil were also present in the meeting.

13:12 November 27

285 members take oath at Maha Assembly's special session

In the 288-member House, two members - Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP) and Devendra Bhuyar (Swabhimani Paksh) - did not take oath on Wednesday, a Vidhan Bhavan official said.
         
Pro tem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar took oath on Tuesday after being appointed to the post by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

Two members - Mahesh Baldi (Independent), Mohammed Ismail (AIMIM)- were administered oath in the Speaker's chamber on Wednesday as they arrived after the House was adjourned, legislature secretary Rajendra Bhagwat said.

13:01 November 27

Patel, Kharge at Pawar residence

Senior Congress leaders Ahmed Patel and Mallikarjun Kharge arrive at NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's residence.

12:47 November 27

PM Modi involved in insult to democracy: Siddaramaiah

Speaking to the media in Devanagere, former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "What has happened in Maharashtra is a slap on the face of BJP. How could Fadnavis take oath knowing he did not have majority? It was a violation of the Constitution. Narendra Modi was equally involved in this insult to democracy, he was also hand in glove."

12:23 November 27

Should not have taken Ajit's support: BJP leader

Speaking to reporters, senior BJP leader Eknath Kadse said, "My personal opinion is that BJP should not have taken support of Ajit Pawar. He is an accused in the massive irrigation scam and faces many allegations, so we should not have allied with him."

12:21 November 27

Committed towards a new Maharashtra: Aaditya

Speaking to reporters after taking oath, Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray said, "We are committed to making a new Maharashtra. There are several first time MLAs and we all felt proud while taking oath. Want to serve the people of the state."

11:51 November 27

On Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis says 'will speak at the right time'

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he will " speak when the time is right" on the decision to take the support of NCP MLA Ajit Pawar, who rebelled against his party.

11:12 November 27

Aaditya Thackeray takes oath

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, who was the first from his family to be elected as an MLA, took oath as a legislator at the special Assembly Session.

10:11 November 27

Don't be surprised if our 'craft' lands in Delhi too: Raut

Stating that  "the mission has been accomplished", Shiv Sena MP and senior party leader Sanjay Raut said, "People were laughing at us when I said we will come to power in Maharashtra, now our surya yaan (spacecraft) has safely landed at the Maharashtra secretariat."

"Do not be surprised if it lands up in Delhi too," he added.

10:04 November 27

Decided not to undertake 'operation kamal' after SC decision: BJP MLA

Speaking to reporters about the short-lived Devendra Fadnavis government, BJP MLA Babanrao B Pachpute said, "Post the Supreme Court decision, the entire programme changed. In a meeting, the BJP Core Committee decided that we do not have the numbers, and Devendra Fadnavis should resign."

"We decided that we should not indulge in horse trading and not undertake 'operation kamal' (operation lotus)," he added.

09:56 November 27

I am in NCP, will remain in party: Ajit Pawar

NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who last week supported the BJP to form a short-lived government in Maharashtra, said he continues to be in his party and that there is no reason "to create" confusion about it.
        
"I have nothing to say (right now), I will speak at the right time. I had said earlier also, I am in the NCP and I will remain in the NCP. There is no reason to create confusion," Ajit Pawar told reporters.

09:30 November 27

No decision yet on Deputy CM: Thorat

Brushing aside reports of his name cropping up as the deputy chief ministerial candidate, Maharashtra Congress President Balasaheb Thorat said that no decision has yet been taken on the deputy CM post.

09:27 November 27

Uddhav meets Governor

Shiv Sena Chief and 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' (NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena alliance) CM candidate, Uddhav Thackeray met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhawan.

09:26 November 27

Will work under Ajit Pawar's guidance: Rohit Pawar

Indicating that 'rebel' NCP leader Ajit Pawar was back into the party fold, NCP MLA Rohit Pawar said that going forward, the party would " work under his guidance."

09:05 November 27

Ajit Pawar hugs Supriya Sule

Before taking oath as an MLA, 'Rebel' NCP leader Ajit Pawar was seen hugging NCP MP and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule outside the state Assembly.

07:33 November 27

Maharashtra MLAs take oath

The newly-elected MLAs are currently taking oath at the special Assembly Session called by Governor BS Koshyari. The oath is being administered by newly-appointed pro-tem speaker Kalidas Kolambkar.

The newly-elected members could not take oath even a month after results of the Assembly polls were announced due to dramatic political developments in the state.

The state remained under President's rule from November 12 to 23 after no political party was able to form a government.