Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS): Shiv Sena President Uddhav B. Thackeray was unanimously elected as chief of the 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' on Tuesday evening, paving the way for his becoming the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Thackeray's name was proposed by Nationalist Congress Party state President Jayant Patil and Congress state President Balasaheb Thorat at a meeting of all the parties in the 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' here.

Present on the occasion were NCP President Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party state President Abu Asim Azmi, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana President Raju Shetti, and other top leaders of the Sena, the NCP and the Congress.

As per indications, the MVA is likely to stake its claim to form the government before the Governor on Tuesday night, after which the details of the wearing-in ceremony shall be finalised.

The fast-paced developments came barely hours after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar abruptly resigned this afternoon, a day before the special session of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was to be convened on Wednesday as ordered by the Supreme Court.

Earlier report

Uddhav Thackarey to be legislature party leader of Sena-NCP-Congress

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS): Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackarey is likely to be elected as legislature party leader of the Sena, the Congress and the NCP and will formally stake claim after his election.

Congress General Secretary In-charge Organisation K C Venugopal said that the joint meeting of the legislators will take place and Uddhav Tackarey will be elected as the leader.

The power sharing formula is in place with Balasaheb Thorat and Jayant Patil, the legislature party leaders of the Congress and the NCP respectively, likely to be Deputy Chief ministers of Maharashtra.

After months of high voltage drama, the dust is finally settling with Sharad Pawar anchoring on behalf of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, catapulting Uddhav Thackarey to the top post.

After hectic parleys and court battles, the new government is likely to take oath at Shivaji Maidan with much fanfare.

Earlier, BJP received a big jolt in Maharashtra as rebel NCP leader Ajit Pawar resigned as Deputy Chief Minister after hectic parleys and persuasions by Sharad Pawar and family. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said this is a "big victory" for the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

At a meeting on Tuesday where Sharad Pawar met Ajit Pawar, it was decided that junior Pawar will resign and not break the family.