Fadnavis, 44, took the oath of office along with eight cabinet ministers and two ministers of state, and party leaders indicated the government could soon be joined by Sena which may get 10 ministerial berths.
Thackeray — whose 63 MLAs could be crucial for BJP that's 24 seats short of a simple majority — had decided to skip the function on account of "constant humiliation" by BJP over government formation. The Sena chief seems to have changed his mind after personal calls from Union minister Arun Jaitley and Amit Shah. The new cabinet includes state BJP leaders Eknath Khadse, Vinod Tawde, Sudhir Mungantiwar and Pankaja Munde, all of whom were tipped to be in the race for CM's post.
By evening, Fadnavis took charge at the Mantralaya and told media that his first decision was to implement a 'Right to Service' to ensure all essential services were delivered to citizens in a timebound manner. ET had reported on Monday that a 'Right to Service' provision would be Fadnavis' first priority if he becomes CM.
Thackeray and Shah were seen conversing at the venue, and the Sena chief also exchanged pleasantries with Modi, whom his party had attacked during the campaign, even terming central leaders of BJP 'Afzal Khan's army'. Sena's overtures after the polls had been outmanoeuvred by Sharad Pawar's NCP, which had offered unconditional support for any BJP government. But political observers said BJP, which was well aware of the risks of running a minority government by taking the support of NCP, decided to climb down and brought a sulking Sena on board on Friday.
Sena had decided on Thursday that none of its leaders would be present at the swearing-in after BJP refused to accede to its demand that two of its MLAs also be sworn in.
On Friday afternoon, Shah and Jaitley both spoke to Uddhav on phone requesting him to attend the swearing-in and promising that Sena would get a better deal if it is part of the BJP government. For good measure, Fadnavis also called up Uddhav, requesting him to attend the ceremony. BJP said Sena will be given around 10 ministerial berths and may get at least two plum cabinet posts.
"Sena is always a trusted ally, it is better we take their support and make them part of the government rather than take the support of NCP from outside. Besides stability, we also have to think of the long term as there will be a question of credibility down the line if we rely on NCP," said a BJP leader.
Talks between Sena and BJP will begin immediately and the latter believes Sena would be a part of the BJP government before November 10, when the first day of the special assembly session begins during which the government would have to prove its majority.
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