D Fadnavis New Maharashtra Chief Minister, E Shinde, Ajit Pawar His Deputies

Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Chief Minister of Maharashtra Thursday evening, capping nearly two weeks of suspense and a tug-of-war between the BJP and the Shiv Sena over the top post.

Sena leader Eknath Shinde and NCP boss Ajit Pawar, whose stellar returns in last month's election boosted the Mahayuti alliance to a thumping win, were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers, in that order, retaining the existing 1+2 formula, albeit with the big tweak in favour of Mr Fadnavis.

Mr Fadnavis is now a three-time Chief Minister in addition to being a six-time MLA. The return - complete with a nod to his mother Sarita - brings his Arnold Schwarzenegger-style promise to fruition.