The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance retained power in Maharashtra, albeit with a reduced majority. As the NCP led by 78-year-old Sharad Pawar, fared much better than expected for the Opposition in Maharashtra, the Sena is expected to drive a hard bargain with the BJP, which was expecting an emphatic victory. This is the first election result ever where people across the country were seen celebrating.

Few outside Maharashtra had heard of Devendra Fadnavis when PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah handpicked him five-years-ago for the post of CM. The 49-year-old, a compromise candidate in a power tussle that had vexed the BJP, became one of the youngest CM of Maharashtra. Speaking at an-election-rally, Amit Shah, the Union -Home-Minister, said he had "never seen anyone work" like Mr Fadnavis.

Osmanabad Zilla Parishad school on Monday postponed its first-term examination paper for Chemistry to Friday apparently due to a public meeting organised by the district unit of Shiv Sena for party chief Uddhav Thackeray. Sources said that the compound wall of the school was broken down for Mr Thackeray's rally, which was held on the ZP Girls High School ground.