The political journey of Devendra Fadnavis, who is all set to assume the mantle of Maharashtra’s Chief Minister for the third time, is nothing short of cinematic. Trained as a lawyer and deeply rooted in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Fadnavis has risen through the ranks with his blend of strategic acumen and grassroots connect, making him one of the most prominent faces of the BJP in the state.
A Journey Rooted in Determination
Born in Nagpur, the ideological headquarters of the RSS, Fadnavis exhibited political flair early on. His refusal to continue at Indira Convent—a school named after the then Prime Minister who had imprisoned his father, Gangadhar Fadnavis, during Emergency—was a defining moment in his youth. This led him to Saraswati Vidyalaya, setting the stage for his ideological and political grooming.
At just 22, Fadnavis became a corporator in Nagpur, and by 27, he was the city’s youngest mayor. These early victories foreshadowed his rapid ascent in Maharashtra politics. His six consecutive wins from Nagpur Southwest cemented his reputation as a leader with deep voter trust.
Fadnavis’s first term as Chief Minister in 2014 was marked by ambitious infrastructure projects such as the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg and metro expansions, alongside tackling contentious issues like the Maratha reservation. His governance style, characterized by approachability and decisiveness, earned him both accolades and criticism.
However, his tenure wasn’t without turbulence. The Maratha agitation, demanding community reservations, posed a formidable challenge. Fadnavis’s government provisioned a quota, but the Supreme Court’s eventual rejection kept the issue alive, testing his political mettle.
A Political Roller Coaster
The 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections brought new twists. Despite the BJP emerging as the largest party, its alliance with the Shiv Sena fractured, leading to Uddhav Thackeray’s unlikely coalition government with the NCP and Congress. In a dramatic turn, Fadnavis’s second term as Chief Minister—formed with a breakaway NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar—collapsed within 70 hours.
His political resilience, however, remained undeterred. Serving as Leader of the Opposition, Fadnavis meticulously planned his comeback. The June 2022 political earthquake, which saw Eknath Shinde’s rebellion against Thackeray, bore Fadnavis’s strategic imprint. Though initially sidelined as Deputy Chief Minister in the Shinde-led government, Fadnavis worked relentlessly to consolidate his influence within the BJP.
The 2024 Assembly elections marked a turning point. Under Fadnavis’s leadership, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, comprising the Shiv Sena and NCP factions, swept to a commanding victory with 230 seats in the 288-member assembly. His meticulous planning, welfare schemes, and high-pitched campaigns paid off, countering the formidable Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.
The Political Landscape Ahead
The Mahayuti’s landslide win underscores the BJP’s dominance, but question remained about the Chief Minister’s post. While Fadnavis is set to take oath, the coalition dynamics—especially with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar as key allies—complicate the situation. Fadnavis, however, remains confident, emphasizing a united front within the alliance.
The challenges ahead are manifold. The Maratha reservation demand continues to simmer, potentially reigniting protests. With local body elections, including the prestigious Mumbai contest, on the horizon, Fadnavis must navigate these complexities while solidifying Mahayuti’s grassroot presence.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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