Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis:
He is an Indian politician who has been serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra since 30 June 2022, alongside Ajit Pawar. He previously served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 31 October 2014 to 12 November 2019. After his term as Chief Minister, he was the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 2019 to 2022 and was the President of the BJP’s Maharashtra state unit from 2013 to 2015. At 44, Fadnavis became the second-youngest Chief Minister in Maharashtra’s history, following Sharad Pawar. During the 2019 Maharashtra political crisis, he briefly held a second term as Chief Minister for 5 days before resigning on 28 November 2019. Fadnavis has been associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Political Career:
Fadnavis began his political career in the mid-nineties. During his college years, he was actively involved with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). In 1992, at the age of 22, he was elected as a Corporator. Five years later, in 1997, Fadnavis became the youngest mayor of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation at 27, making him the second-youngest mayor in Indian history. Since 1999, Fadnavis has represented Nagpur in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
CM of Maharashtra (1st Term):
Devendra Fadnavis became the leader of the BJP legislative party in the presence of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP National General Secretary Jagat Prakash Nadda. On 31 October 2014, he was appointed Chief Minister of Maharashtra, leading the largest party in the state assembly. His government won a confidence vote on 12 November 2014.
Mumbai Next:
Launched on 30 January 2015, this project aimed to transform Mumbai into a global financial and entertainment hub. A high-profile conference under this initiative featured prominent business leaders like Cyrus Mistry and Mukesh Ambani.
Police Digitisation Project:
On 15 September 2015, Fadnavis inaugurated the Maharashtra Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) in Nagpur, marking Maharashtra as the first state in India to implement this digital tracking network.
Digital Initiatives:
In 2016, Maharashtra launched several digital initiatives, including cyber labs and village digitisation, to mark the 70th Independence Day.
Samruddhi Expressway:
This project aims to create a high-speed corridor between Mumbai and Nagpur, reducing travel time from 16 to 8 hours. The expressway includes EV charging stations and is expected to boost rural economic development. Renamed the “Hindu Hrudaysamarat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Highway” on 22 December 2019, it was scheduled for completion by September 2022.
1% Reservation for Orphans:
In 2018, Fadnavis introduced a 1% reservation in government jobs and education for orphans, a pioneering policy in Maharashtra. This reservation applies to orphans certified by relevant departments without increasing existing caste quotas.
CM Fellowship Scheme:
Launched in 2015, this 11-month program offers graduates and postgraduates administrative experience with the Maharashtra government, providing stipends and perks. Eligibility includes being aged 21-26, having a first-class graduation, one year of work experience, and knowledge of Marathi.
Agricultural Pond:
The ‘Magel Tyala Shettale’ scheme, launched in 2016, aimed to combat drought and promote sustainable agriculture. It surpassed its target, benefiting farmers with improved irrigation and water conservation.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krishi Sanman Scheme:
Announced in 2017, this scheme provided a Rs 34,022 crore loan waiver to 89 lakh farmers, offering relief to crop and medium-term borrowers.
Marathwada Water Grid Project:
Initiated in 2019 with a cost of Rs 4,293 crore, this project aims to resolve drought issues in Marathwada by transporting water from Konkan to the Godavari basin.
Automated Weather Stations:
In 2016, Fadnavis launched Automated Weather Stations (AWS) to aid farmers by providing accurate weather data. Approximately 2,065 stations were planned under a public-private partnership model.
Housing for Mill Workers:
On 7 July 2023, keys to homes were allotted to 251 workers of Bombay Dyeing and Srinivas mills. This effort, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Fadnavis, is part of a broader plan to provide housing for mill workers.
Maratha Reservation Act:
The Act aimed to grant reservations in government jobs and education to the Maratha community. It went through various stages of agitation, legal challenges, and legislative action before being implemented in 2024, providing 10% reservation in education and employment.
Mumbai Coastal Road Project:
Under Fadnavis‘ leadership, the Coastal Road project gained momentum, with the first phase completed from Princess Street to Bandra Worli Sea Link. Phase 2, spanning from Versova to Dahisar, is set to commence and aims for completion within four years.
CM of Maharashtra (2nd Term):
On 23 November 2019, Fadnavis formed a government with the support of Ajit Pawar from the NCP, but this administration lasted only a few days. During this brief period, Fadnavis chaired a climate resilience meeting with World Bank representatives, relaunched the Chief Minister’s refund cell, and approved 5,380 crores in aid for farmers.
Deputy CM of Maharashtra:
After the 2022 Maharashtra political crisis, Fadnavis took office as the 9th Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 30 June 2022, alongside Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister.
Political Crises:
Bharat Mata Slogans (2016)
In April 2016, Fadnavis made headlines during a rally in Nashik when he stated that every Indian should chant “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” and those who refuse should consider leaving the country for Pakistan or China. Critics argued that this remark was aimed at marginalizing Muslims. Fadnavis later clarified that his statement was not intended to target any religion.
Aurangzeb-Related Remarks (2023)
In June 2023, following clashes in Kolhapur over social media posts glorifying Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Fadnavis commented at a public rally questioning why there were so many “Aurangzeb Ki Aulad” (descendants of Aurangzeb) in Maharashtra. This remark was criticized by political analysts as a dog whistle targeting Muslims, exacerbating communal tensions. Aurangzeb, a controversial figure in Maharashtra for his imposition of discriminatory taxes and temple demolitions, is viewed negatively by many. Fadnavis later clarified that he did not view Indian Muslims as Aurangzeb’s descendants and noted that nationalist Muslims do not regard Aurangzeb as a hero.
Non-Disclosure of Criminal Cases in 2014 Poll Affidavit
In September 2023, a Nagpur court acquitted Fadnavis in a case related to his 2014 election affidavit. The complaint, filed by advocate Satish Uke, alleged that Fadnavis had failed to disclose pending FIRs in his affidavit, which was claimed to be a violation of the Representation of People’s Act. Fadnavis admitted to the non-disclosure, attributing it to an inadvertent mistake by his lawyer.