BREAKING: Eknath Shinde to be elected as CM of Maharashtra

• What: In a major announcement, BJP's Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced that rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde will be the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra, after Uddhav Thackeray resigned last night.

• Fadnavis' statement: "I will stay out of the government and ensure it runs smoothly," Mr Fadnavis said, announcing that Mr Shinde will be sworn in at 7:30 pm. No other minister will take oath today."

• Government claim: Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde met with Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and staked claim to power earlier in the afternoon.

• Background: Shiv Sena chief and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray resigned yesterday, after the Supreme Court ruled that he must prove his majority.