The stage is set for the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as Maharashtra Chief Minister on Thursday evening. Besides political dignitaries, over 500 farmers from different parts of the states have also been invited to attend the grand event at Shivaji Park.

Uddhav Thackeray will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari.

As per senior Congress leader and former Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, "We shall be having at least 500-700 farmers and widows especially being invited for the grand function tomorrow. There will be at least 20 farmers from each district in Maharashtra.”

He added that the invitation has also been extended to central leaders of all political parties, state party leaders and chief ministers of all opposition-ruled states.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena Legislative Party leader Eknath Shinde said that film celebrities, sports personalities, industrialists, diplomats, and famous achievers in different fields will also be present at the function.

Shinde added that at least 500 farmers and widows who met Uddhav Thackeray during his poll campaigning will be at the ceremony.

Top dignitaries like Chief Justice and judges of the Bombay High Court, top police and defence officials, and other high-ranking government officials would also be invited.

It is interesting to note that this is for the first time in the state that a second swearing-in ceremony of a CM - of a different alliance government -- within the five-day period will take place.

On November 23 morning, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar had taken oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, respectively. The development had left the country stunned.

However, Fadnavis and Pawar resigned yesterday, paving the way for the ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ - comprising the alliance of Nationalist Congress Party-Shiv Sena-Congress and other smaller parties - government to stake its claim to power.

Earlier today, around 283 of the total 288 newly-elected MLAs took the oath of office at the Vidhan Bhawan.

Pro tem Speaker Kalidas N Kolambkar had administered the oath to all the legislators.

First-timers like Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray had gone to the Siddhi Vinayak Temple before attending the oath ceremony at Nariman Point.