Fadnavis Takes Centre Stage as Maha Yuti Alliance Prepares for Upcoming Elections
Devendra Fadnavis to Become Maharashtra Chief Minister; Swearing-In on Thursday
As Maharashtra gears up for the upcoming assembly elections, the political stage is set for intense battles, alliances, and strategic manoeuvres. Amid reports that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leadership is likely to appoint former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as the campaign chief for the assembly elections, the decision on the Chief Ministerial candidate is expected to be made post-election to avoid disagreements among its leaders. In a recent development, Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, has announced his willingness to support any candidate chosen by Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as the MVA’s Chief Ministerial face. Thackeray emphasized that the upcoming elections are a fight to preserve Maharashtra’s self-respect, signalling a high-stakes confrontation.
The MVA, comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SCP), and Congress, aims to challenge the BJP’s dominance in the state. Thackeray’s rival, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, took a dig at Thackeray by suggesting that he had abandoned Shiv Sena’s core ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray and that it didn’t matter whether he was appointed as ‘campaign head or to any other post.’
Amid these developments, the political landscape is rife with speculation regarding Fadnavis’s future. Rumours suggest that Fadnavis’s meeting with Amit Shah was pre-planned and party leaders from Maharashtra believe it will strengthen the party at the state level for the upcoming assembly election. Fadnavis’s strategic acumen and leadership have made him a formidable figure in Maharashtra politics, and his potential departure has stirred both anticipation and concern.
The recent verbal attack by Uddhav Thackeray on Fadnavis underscores the opposition’s recognition of him as a major threat, highlighting his pivotal role in the BJP’s strategy for Maharashtra.
As the BJP has assumed a leadership role in preparing for the Maha Yuti alliance’s upcoming elections, the party’s state core committee has entrusted Devendra Fadnavis with full decision-making authority on seat-sharing arrangements following a meeting in Mumbai.
The political turmoil in Maharashtra has seen the rise and fall of several alliances, with MVA being a notable example. The MVA’s formation and eventual collapse underscored the volatile nature of alliances in the state. Fadnavis played a key role in this political drama, particularly during the floor test called by the Governor at his behest, which led to Uddhav Thackeray’s resignation as Chief Minister. His proactive political strategy was crucial in the NDA’s resurgence in the state, cementing his status as a key player. Despite setbacks, including the BJP’s unexpected performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Fadnavis remains a central figure in the party’s strategy for Maharashtra.
As Chief Minister, Fadnavis implemented a governance model emphasizing transparency, accountability, and infrastructure. Initiatives like the ‘Aaple Sarkar Portal,’ the Right to Service Act, and the ‘E-governance’ drive improved citizen services. His tenure saw major infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the Mumbai metro network, and the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway. Fadnavis also promoted economic growth with the “Make in Maharashtra” campaign and the “Magnetic Maharashtra Summit,” and supported youth with the “Skill Development Mission” and “Startup Policy.” His recent initiative, the “Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana,” appearing to be notably successful, offering ₹1,500 per month to women aged 21 to 65 in Maharashtra to promote economic independence and improve health and nutrition. This scheme mirrors Madhya Pradesh’s ‘Ladli Behna Yojana.’
As the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections approach, Devendra Fadnavis’s role in the BJP’s campaign is more crucial than ever. With the BJP already entrusting Fadnavis with the crucial responsibility of leading seat-sharing discussions within the alliance—signalling his leadership of the Maha Yuti alliance in the upcoming elections—and the MVA hinting at appointing Uddhav Thackeray as its campaign chief, the stage is set for a fascinating political contest. It will be a battle between two titans: one carrying the legacy of Balasaheb, and the other a mass leader who has risen through the ranks. As Maharashtra braces for another electoral showdown, the spotlight will be on Devendra Fadnavis and the decisive role he plays in shaping the state’s political future.
The Article is written by Senior Political Analyst O P Tiwari
