Devendra Fadnavis sworn-in as Maharashtra CM, Ajit Pawar as Dy CM

The oath was administered by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat

Singh Koshiyari

The month-long political impasse ended dramatically with Devendra Fadnavis returning as the chief minister again, backed by the Sharad Pawar-led NCP.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar was sworn-in as the deputy chief minister at Raj Bhavan.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari

administered the oath to the two in the morning ceremony, where only official

media was present.

"People had given us a clear

mandate, but Shiv Sena tried to ally with other parties after results, after

which President's rule was imposed. Maharashtra needed a stable govt not a 'khichidi'

govt," Fadnavis said.

Ajit Pawar, after taking oath as the

deputy chief minister, said: "From result day on October 24, no party was

able to form the government. Maharashtra was facing many problems, including

farmers issues. So we decided to form a stable government." The surprise

swearing-in is being described as a political masterstroke of Sharad Pawar, who

on Thursday night had said there was a consensus among the NCP, Congress and

Shiv Sena that Uddhav Thackeray should lead the new government.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for taking oath as chief minister and deputy chief minister of Maharashtra respectively.

In a tweet, he expressed confidence

that the two will work for Maharashtra's development.