Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday. His appointment was confirmed during the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s core committee meeting held in Mumbai earlier today.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Fadnavis attended the BJP’s core committee meeting. Sitharaman and Rupani have been designated by the party High Command as central observers for the Maharashtra legislature party meeting.
The Mahayuti partners will meet Governor C P Radhakrishnan at 3.30 pm on Wednesday to stake a claim to form a government in the state, according to BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar.
In the Maharashtra elections held on November 20, the BJP secured 132 of the state’s 288 assembly seats, which was an unprecedented victory for the party. The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition holds a resounding majority of 230 seats together with its partners, the Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Devendra Fadnavis: From Nagpur’s Youngest Mayor to Maharashtra’s First BJP Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis, whose political career spans over 20 years, served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019. Here’s a look at his rise from a local corporator to Nagpur’s youngest mayor, eventually becoming Maharashtra’s first BJP Chief Minister.
Early Life and Education
Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis was born on 22 July 1970 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, into a Brahmin family with deep political ties. His family was actively involved in social work and closely associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His father, Gangadharrao Fadnavis, was a leader in the Jan Sangh and later served as a BJP legislator.
Fadnavis obtained a law degree, followed by a postgraduate qualification in business management and a diploma in project management from DSE Berlin.
Political Career
Fadnavis’s involvement with the RSS began in his early years, and he entered active politics through the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the BJP’s student wing.
In 1992, he was elected as a councillor in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, serving two consecutive terms. At 27, he became Nagpur’s youngest-ever mayor. In 1999, he contested his first state election from Nagpur and has since been re-elected to the Maharashtra Assembly for five consecutive terms.
First Term as Maharashtra Chief Minister
Fadnavis served as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister from 31 October 2014 to 12 November 2019. Early in his tenure, he introduced the Right to Service Act, one of India’s first such laws, ensuring the timely delivery of public services, with nearly 400 services brought online.
He also launched the ‘Aaple Sarkar’ platform, a grievance redressal system.
As Nagpur’s representative, he addressed long-standing land ownership disputes and helped resolve complex legal issues for his constituents. A staunch advocate for Vidarbha’s development, Fadnavis worked towards equitable growth in the region, earning the Nag Bhushan Award in 2016.
Notably, Fadnavis became the first Maharashtra Chief Minister in nearly 50 years to complete a full five-year term. He also held additional portfolios, managing departments such as home, general administration, urban development, law and judiciary, ports and public relations.
Political Support and Key Initiatives
Devendra Fadnavis received substantial backing from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. During a campaign rally, PM Modi notably described him as “Nagpur’s gift to the country.”
One of his hallmark initiatives, the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, was designed to tackle drought across Maharashtra by promoting decentralised water management. The scheme led to the construction of over 600,000 low-cost water structures in more than 22,000 villages.
In his first term, Fadnavis set up a dedicated “War Room” to monitor critical infrastructure projects, resolve bottlenecks and ensure timely completion. This strategy accelerated key projects, including the Mumbai and Pune Metro expansions, the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway, the Coastal Road project, and the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL).
He also launched the Chief Minister Fellowship Programme, which invited young professionals to contribute innovative ideas and energy to bridge the gap between policy-making and grassroots needs.
Fadnavis’ focus on economic growth attracted significant foreign investment, with Maharashtra securing nearly 50% of India’s total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2016, underscoring his ability to foster a business-friendly environment that appealed to global investors.
His social development efforts were well-received by corporate leaders. Initiatives such as the Village Social Transformation Mission, the SMART programme to improve agricultural value chains, and the Sahabhag Social Responsibility Cell demonstrated his capacity to mobilise corporate support for social causes.
Controversies and Criticism
Fadnavis’ tenure as Chief Minister was not without challenges. His administration faced criticism during severe droughts in Maharashtra, particularly over issues related to farmer distress, unemployment and inadequate relief measures.
In 2019, his second term as Chief Minister began with a secretive swearing-in ceremony, sparking controversy. Following a Supreme Court order to hold a floor test within three days, Fadnavis resigned.
The 2024 Lok Sabha election results further questioned his leadership. Despite the BJP being part of the ruling alliance, it secured only nine seats, while alliance partner Shiv Sena won seven and the NCP just one.
Since becoming Deputy Chief Minister in 2022, Fadnavis has been the de facto leader of the Mahayuti government, making him the primary target of opposition criticism. As Home Minister, he has faced scrutiny over the state’s law and order situation, including delays in arrests related to the Badlapur sexual assault case and the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui.
On November 10, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Mahayuti alliance would decide on the Chief Minister after the state elections.
Personal Life
Devendra Fadnavis is married to Amruta Fadnavis, a banker and social activist. The duo has a daughter, Divija.
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