The resignation of Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray before the trust vote on Wednesday marked a significant development in the political unrest in Maharashtra.

Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP said on Thursday that Eknath Shinde would take over as the next chief executive of Maharashtra, even though he was widely anticipated to do so after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) administration fell. The BJP asked him to be Mr Shinde's Deputy, which was another twist after the bombshell.

'Devendra Fadnavis would join the cabinet, according to the central BJP leadership. We approached him personally as a result, and the Central Leadership suggested that Devendra Fadnavis assume the role of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra 'JP Nadda, national head of the BJP, said.

Today, just Shinde will take the oath; the extension of the Cabinet will follow. Fadnavis will not serve in the administration, and the new Cabinet would consist of BJP and Shinde camp ministers.

The Shinde camp, which is supported by 16 Independents and 39 other lawmakers, would receive support from the BJP, according to Fadnavis. 'The Shinde-led government will successfully address issues that have been postponed for the past two and a half years,' He clarified that he will not serve in the government.

Fadnavis went on to say that the BJP has decided to back Shinde, the 'leader of the Shiv Sena Legislature Party,' to 'preserve Hindutva and serve the people of Maharashtra.' He emphasised how, despite their pre-election arrangement to jointly run in the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Uddhav Thackeray 'backstabbed us and ditched the saffron unit in the thirst for power.'

Eknath Shinde responded by stating that although Devendra Fadnavis may have been elected Chief Minister based on the statistics, he showed magnanimity and a great heart. He said, 'I thank him [Fadnavis].'

Fadnavis was supposed to become the chief minister and Shinde, the rebel leader, the deputy chief minister. However, Fadnavis declined to form the government and chose to assist Shinde and the administration from outside.

Indian politician Eknath Sambhaji Rao Shinde serves as Cabinet Minister for Public Works (Public Undertakings) in the Government of Maharashtra. He now represents Thane, Maharashtra's Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency in the Legislative Assembly. He is elected as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra today after the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Government.

Shinde is a Maratha who was raised in Satara, Maharashtra. Balasaheb Thackeray, the leader of the Shiv Sena, reportedly influenced Shinde even when he was still in school. Beginning in early 1980, he entered politics and became a Sainik after being introduced by Anand Dighe, the Thane Shiv Sena unit's then-president. During the 1980s Sena agitations, he began his career as a labour leader at Wagle Industrial Estate. In truth, Shinde was captured and held captive for 40 days during the Maharashtra-Karnataka Agitation over the status of the Belgauvi.

In 1997, when Thane Municipal Corporation elections were held, he held his first significant political position at a corporation. In the 2019 Assembly elections, he was elected to the Assembly from the Kopri Panchpakhadi constituency for a record-breaking fourth time.

It was only a matter of time until he gained notoriety inside the Sena and solidified his position as a crucial Sena figurehead in the Thane-Palghar region bordering Mumbai. Shinde has established himself as a devoted supporter/follower of Balasaheb and a Sainik who is strongly motivated by the beliefs of the Shiv Sena founder. He is known for his forceful attitude to matters of public interest.

He even tweeted in Marathi lately, asking, 'How can Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena tolerate those who have a clear connection to Dawood who slaughtered innocent Mumbaikars by carrying out Mumbai terrorist blasts? Even if it brings us to the verge of death, we are taking action to fight this.

It would be interesting to watch if Shinde can hold onto his position despite the criticism and animosity of Sena's Uddhav section. This is a typical tale of a grassroots leader ascending to the state's top leadership post.