Thane Auto Drivers Come In Support Of Eknath Shinde As He Takes Official CM Charge

A week after taking his oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, on Thursday, July 7, officially took charge at the Mantralaya. The Mantralaya is the Maharashtra government's administrative headquarters in Mumbai. 

Shinde took to Twitter to share that he has taken charge as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra at the CM's office in the Mantralaya. He added that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present on the occasion, whose greetings he accepted wholeheartedly. 

Further, Shinde brought to light that his family members including his father Sambhaji Shinde, wife Lata, son Shrikant, daughter-in-law Vrushali and grandson Rudransh were also present to attend the ceremony. 

In the picture tweeted by the 64-year-old politician, one can see a large portrait of Shiv Sena founder, Balasaheb Thackeray. This many speculate intends to make a statement. 

मंत्रालयातील मुख्यमंत्री कार्यालयात उपस्थित राहून आज महाराष्ट्र राज्याचा मुख्यमंत्री या नात्याने पदभार स्वीकारला.

यासमयी राज्याचे उपमुख्यमंत्री मा.ना.श्री.@Dev_Fadnavis यांनी आवर्जून उपस्थित राहून दिलेल्या शुभेच्छांचा मनःपूर्वक स्विकार केला. pic.twitter.com/op8a1D2Kc5

— Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) July 7, 2022

In other developments, following a comment made by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray about Shinde's earlier days when he drove an autorickshaw for a living, auto-rickshaw drivers in Thane put a banner of Shinde in front of the Thane Municipal Corporation's (TMC's) headquarters extending their support. 

Narratives suggest that the banner in Marathi read that they are proud that their "rickshawala" became the Chief Minister. Further, 100 auto drivers participated in the gathering by sticking stickers with the said slogan on their autos.

For those unversed, on June 20, Shinde commenced a revolt against Shiv Sena Chief, Thackeray. This led to a series of events, that propelled Thackeray to step down. A day later, Shinde took charge as the Chief Minister, with Fadnavis as his deputy. 

Also Read: Maharashtra Political Saga: Cabinet Expansion Likely After July 11