Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday stated that he will remain in his current post until 2029 and that the composition of the ruling coalition will not change. "As far as I know my party.... Delhi is still far away. I will continue as Maharashtra CM till 2029," Fadnavis said when asked about his role in national politics. He was speaking at an interaction with media personnel to mark the occasion of Diwali at his official residence, 'Varsha', in Mumbai.
Fadnavis made it clear that there will be no alteration to the present ruling dispensation, which comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP. "There will be no new partners or swapping of partners," he added.
The senior BJP leader also criticised the Opposition for alleging discrepancies in the state electoral rolls ahead of the local body polls, which are due to be completed by January 31, 2026.
Fadnavis, who became the first non-Congress CM to complete a five-year tenure in 2019, returned to the top post after the assembly polls last year and to the Chief Minister's official residence earlier this year.
The CM asserted that he holds no bitterness towards political rivals. "Given the political stability after the 2024 assembly polls, I am confident cordiality will return (among leaders). Earlier, due to the political instability after the 2019 assembly elections, there was an enmity-like situation among political leaders. I have cordial relations with 99 per cent of political leaders," Fadnavis claimed.
Regarding speculation about MNS head Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray possibly uniting for the local body polls, Fadnavis remarked: "If Raj Thackeray says I brought the two brothers close on the issue of Marathi, I take it as a compliment." He added: "Earlier, I was criticised for breaking parties. No third person can break a political party. Only ambitions and injustice can break parties," the CM said, expressing hope that the Thackeray cousins stay together even after the local body polls. He, however, asserted that the "Thackeray brand" means only Shiv Sena founder, the late Bal Thackeray, and no one else.
To a question suggesting he had facilitated an alliance between Raj and Uddhav Thackeray to unsettle Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis responded: "Just like I have a relationship with Raj, Shinde also enjoys the same kind of relations."
Fadnavis, who is among the BJP's star campaigners for next month's Bihar assembly polls, said the situation looks good for the ruling NDA in that state, adding there is no anti-incumbency against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Asked about the Maharashtra cabinet reshuffle, he said no minister was inefficient. "We will complete a year soon and a performance audit will be done," he commented. Fadnavis also said the ruling Mahayuti will form politically astute alliances for the local body elections. In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the ruling partners will go for pre-poll alliances, while at other places, there could be post-poll tie-ups, he confirmed.
Fadnavis criticised the Opposition for objecting to the electoral rolls "to create a perception" for the local body polls. He pointed out that they have failed to submit official objections and suggestions on the voters' list and are also opposing a complete revision of the list. The Opposition wants to get the local body polls postponed but lacks a solid reason, he alleged, noting that they are not raising concerns about the voters' list in the Bihar campaign. "They feel the local body polls can be problematic for them," he said. Fadnavis added that the BJP will soon make an exposé on how the existing electoral rolls have benefited the Opposition.
Finally, questioned about the sustainability of infrastructure projects in Mumbai, he stated that the new infrastructure will last for 100 years and has no structural problems.
Also read: Bhupathi’s surrender marks end of Naxal era: Fadnavis
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