Highlights | Will give good government: Uddhav after chairing 1st cabinet meet

MNS chief and Uddhav's cousin Raj Thackeray has reached Shivaji Park for the swearing in ceremony.

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge is at Shivaji Park for the swearing in ceremony.

Rahul Gandhi on Thursday expressed regret for not being able to attend Uddhav Thackeray's swearing-in ceremony. "The events leading up to the government formation in Maharashtra have set a dangerous precedent for our democracy. I am glad that the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi has come together to defeat the BJP's attempt to undermine our democracy. The people of Maharashtra have high expectations from the coalition and I am confident it will provide them with a stable, secular and pro-poor government," Rahul Gandhi's letter read.

Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule have reached Shivaji Park for the swearing in ceremony of Maharashtra's 19th chief minister. Sharad Pawar is also enroute the venue.

From Congress, Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut will sworn in as ministers in the new government. Thorat, who is also state president of the party, made the announcement.

Common Minimum Program of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' (NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena alliance). pic.twitter.com/2qw2ECwRkU

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2019

Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde hailed today's swearing in ceremony for Maharashtra's chief minister as 'historic day'. "We've invited all big leaders from the centre and state including the Prime Minister. Aditya Thackeray himself went to invite Congress President Sonia Gandhi. We've also invited former Maharashtra CM and Raj Thackeray. Everyone should witness the historic day."

NCP leader Ajit Pawar has said that six leaders, two each from his party, the Shiv Sena and the Congress, will take oath as ministers on Thursday along with Chief Minister-designate Uddhav Thackeray.

Pawar also clarified that he will not take oath as a minister on Thursday evening during the ceremony to be held at Shivaji Park.

"I will not take oath today. Only Chhagan Bhujbal and Jayant Patil will take oath as ministers from the NCP," Ajit Pawar told reporters after a meeting of NCP leaders at party chief Sharad Pawar's residence.

Ajit Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party leader who almost grounded the Uddhav Thackeray-led alliance government in Maharashtra, reached his uncle and boss Sharad Pawar’s house hours before the Shiv Sena chief take oath as chief minister on Thursday evening. Read here.

NCP lawmakerJayant Patil will take oath as a minister at the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday evening. Talking to ANI, Patil said, "I am going to take oath as a minister.". On being asked if he will be the deputy chief minister, Patil said, "That has not been decided yet, I don't know."

Jayant Patil, NCP: I am going to take oath as a minister.

When asked if he will be the Deputy Chief Minister, Jayant Patil says "That has not been decided yet, I don't know." #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/h30T7lzSSu

— ANI (@ANI) 28 November 2019

Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena said, "We've invited all big leaders from the Centre and state including the Prime Minister. Aditya Thackeray himself went to invite Congress Pres Sonia Gandhi. We've also invited former Maharashtra CM and Raj Thackeray. Everyone should witness the historic day."

Ajit Pawar arrives at Silver Oak, residence of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar. Party leaders Jayant Patil and Praful Patel are already present at the residence.

Congress' Balasaheb Thorat, Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde & NCP's Jayant Patil to address a joint press conference, ahead of swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena chief & 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' leader Uddhav Thackeray, today. The Common Minimum programme will be released, according to news agnecy ANI.

NCP spokesperson, on reports that Ajit Pawar has switched off his mobile phone: Ajit Pawar has not gone incommunicado, he has intentionally switched off his mobile phone to avoid frequent calls. He will attend the swearing-in ceremony, according to news agency ANI.

Maharashtra Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat : We are not upset for not getting the post of deputy chief minister. The speaker will be from Congress.