Maharashtra is all set to witness a momentous political event as Devendra Fadnavis, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), takes the oath as the Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony, to be held at the historic Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, promises to be a grand affair with the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, BJP stalwarts, and top leaders of the MahaYuti alliance.
Accompanying Fadnavis in the new government, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar are slated to take oath as Deputy Chief Ministers, further solidifying the MahaYuti coalition, which comprises over a dozen smaller parties.
This marks a remarkable comeback for Fadnavis, who has been a key architect of the BJP’s strategy in Maharashtra. His ability to forge alliances, navigate political complexities, and command public support has earned him the reputation of a master strategist and an administrator par excellence.
From Nagpur’s RSS Shakhas to Maharashtra’s Helm
Born on July 22, 1970, in Nagpur, Devendra Fadnavis hails from a politically active family. His father, Gangadhar Rao Fadnavis, served as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), while his mother, Sarita Fadnavis, was the Director of Vidarbha Housing Credit Society. Raised in the heart of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ecosystem, Fadnavis was deeply influenced by its discipline and philosophy from an early age.
In the early Emergency period in 1970s when Fadnavis was just 5 or 6 years old, he was enrolled in Indira Convent School, a school named after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. His father, Gangadhar Rao Fadnavis, was an active member of the Jan Sangh, the precursor to today’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and a staunch supporter of the RSS. Nagpur, being the headquarters of the RSS, was central to its ideological activities, and Gangadhar Rao was deeply involved in the anti-Emergency movement.
As the Emergency unfolded, marked by political repression and curtailment of civil liberties, Indira Gandhi’s government cracked down on dissenters. Gangadhar Rao was arrested and jailed for participating in protests against the regime. The incident deeply impacted young Devendra.
Despite his parents’ willingness to keep him at Indira Convent School, young Devendra resolutely refused to attend a school named after Indira Gandhi, whom he blamed for his father’s imprisonment. His adamance eventually led his parents to withdraw him from the school and enroll him in Saraswati Vidyalaya, an RSS-affiliated institution. It was from this school that he later completed his Class X board exams.
This incident reflects the steely resolve and ideological clarity that Fadnavis exhibited even as a child. While his parents, both active in RSS circles, were pragmatic about the school’s name, Devendra’s unwavering stance demonstrated his commitment to the principles instilled by his family and the RSS.
Devendra Fadnavis’s early ideological alignment did not stop at school. He began attending RSS shakhas at a young age and later became actively involved with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS. This early exposure to the RSS’s principles shaped his political philosophy and laid the foundation for his eventual rise in politics.
Early Political Career
At just 22 years old, Fadnavis was elected as a corporator in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. His meteoric rise continued as he became Nagpur’s youngest mayor at the age of 27, making him the second youngest mayor in India. This period showcased his leadership qualities, earning him recognition as a promising young politician.
Over the years, Fadnavis secured six consecutive victories from the Nagpur South West constituency, cementing his position as a trusted leader of the people. His eloquence in debates, coupled with his grasp of fiscal issues, made him a respected figure across party lines in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
Fadnavis’s steady ascent within the BJP reflects his organisational skills and grassroots connect. Rising from the position of Ward Convener, he eventually became the President of the Maharashtra BJP. He played a pivotal role in BJP’s electoral campaigns across states like Kerala, Bihar, and Goa, showcasing his strategic acumen on the national stage.
As Maharashtra’s Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019, Fadnavis spearheaded several transformative initiatives:
- Infrastructure Development: He launched the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, a landmark expressway connecting the state’s economic hubs.
- Water Management: The Jal Yukt Shivar program addressed water scarcity, transforming agriculture and rural livelihoods.
- Maratha Reservation Issue: His government’s decisive action on this sensitive matter underscored his ability to navigate complex socio-political challenges.
- Anti-Corruption Measures: Fadnavis exposed the multi-crore irrigation scam, reinforcing his commitment to clean governance.
His tenure was marked by significant industrial growth, making Maharashtra the most economically advanced state in India, contributing 25 per cent of the country’s industrial output.
Despite losing the Chief Minister’s chair in 2019, Fadnavis famously declared, “Me punha yein” (I will return). The statement became a rallying cry for his supporters and the subject of memes, but it also underscored his unwavering confidence. Now, as he returns to the top post, Fadnavis has proved his resilience and political foresight.
The MahaYuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, triumphed in the 2024 elections under his leadership. Fadnavis’s role in orchestrating this coalition and delivering a decisive victory has solidified his position as one of Maharashtra’s most influential leaders.
Fadnavis’s personal life reflects his grounded nature. He is married to Amruta Fadnavis, a senior executive at Axis Bank, and they have a daughter, Divija. A self-professed foodie, Fadnavis enjoys music, films, and sports. His diverse educational background includes a law degree from Nagpur University, a postgraduate degree in Business Management, and a diploma in Project Management from D.S.E. Berlin.
Fadnavis’s political philosophy revolves around the mantra, “Politics is an instrument for socio-economic change.” He emphasises a “People First” approach, aiming for equitable progress across Maharashtra’s urban and rural landscapes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2014 remark, “Desh mein Narendra, Pradesh mein Devendra,” aptly captured the synergy between the two leaders. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s endorsement of Fadnavis as the “current and future CM of Maharashtra” further highlights his stature within the BJP.
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