Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Commits to State Role Until 2029, Rules Out National Politics

The Chief Minister stated he holds no bitterness toward political opponents. (File)

Mumbai:

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared on Wednesday that he will remain in his current position until 2029, and the structure of the ruling coalition will stay unchanged.

"As far as I know my party....Delhi is still far away. I will continue as Maharashtra CM till 2029," Fadnavis stated when questioned about his potential role in national politics.

He was speaking during a media interaction on the occasion of Diwali at his official residence, 'Varsha,' in Mumbai.

Fadnavis clarified that the present ruling alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP, will remain intact. "There will be no new partners or swapping of partners," he emphasized.

The senior BJP leader criticized the Opposition for alleging discrepancies in the state electoral rolls ahead of local body polls, which are scheduled 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 position after last year's assembly elections and moved back to the chief minister's official bungalow earlier this year.

The CM mentioned that he harbors no animosity toward 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 percent of political leaders," Fadnavis said.

Regarding speculation about MNS head Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray joining forces for 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," expressing hope that the Thackeray cousins would maintain their alliance even after the local body polls.

However, he firmly stated that the "Thackeray brand" refers only to Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray, and no one else.

When asked about allegations that he facilitated the 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, expressed optimism about the ruling NDA's prospects in that state.

He stated there is no anti-incumbency sentiment against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Regarding a potential Maharashtra cabinet reshuffle, he maintained that no minister was inefficient. "We will complete a year soon and a performance audit will be done," he said.

Fadnavis also indicated that the ruling Mahayuti coalition will form politically strategic alliances for the upcoming local body elections.

In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the ruling partners will establish pre-poll alliances, while in other areas, post-poll arrangements might be considered, he explained.

Fadnavis criticized the Opposition for objecting to electoral rolls "to create a perception" for the local body polls.

He pointed out that they haven't provided objections and suggestions on the voters' list and also oppose a complete revision of it.

The opposition wants to delay the local body polls but lacks substantial reasoning for it. They no longer discuss the voters' list in their Bihar campaign, the BJP leader noted.

"They feel the local body polls can be problematic for them," he said.

Fadnavis announced that the BJP will soon expose how the existing electoral rolls have actually benefited the Opposition.

When questioned about the durability of Mumbai's infrastructure projects, he assured that the new infrastructure is designed to last for 100 years and has no structural issues.