Mumbai/IBNS: Eknath Shinde, who opted out of the race for the Maharashtra top post, will join the Devendra Fadnavis government as his Deputy, NDTV quoting sources reported.

Giving "special thanks" to Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis told reporters: "Yesterday I requested Eknath Shinde to remain in the cabinet... which I hope he would... The Chief Minister post is just a technical agreement between us... we have been together to take decisions and will continue to do so."

Shinde responded to the gesture saying: "Two-and-a-half years ago, Fadnavis recommended my name to become the Chief Minister. This time, we recommend his name to become the Chief Minister."

Fadnavis will take oath in Mumbai on Wednesday and preparations are in full swing.

As per speculations, two Deputies will take oath alongside.

Ajit Pawar has already given a hint saying he would also take oath on Wednesday.

BJP strongman Devendra Fadnavis earlier in the day staked a claim to form the new government in Maharashtra.

Flanked by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis reached the Raj Bahvan and met the state's Governor CP Radhakrishnan.

Fadnavis will take oath on Thursday.

Fadnavis was unanimously elected as the BJP legislature party leader at a meeting held in Mumbai earlier in the day.

All BJP leaders have endorsed his name for the post of CM in the presence of Central observers Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani, reported UNI.

The BJP-led Mahayuti returned to power for another term after winning 235 seats in the polls.

The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats.

Despite the expectation of a stronger show after the Lok Sabha,  the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party won 57 and 41 seats respectively in the state.