Devendra Fadnavis
Devendra Fadnavis, once the compromise face of the BJP, has now emerged as the sole face of the BJP in Maharashtra. This is the third time that the BJP has nominated a leader as the chief minister of Maharashtra. Fadnavis, who belongs to the Brahmin clan, was first appointed chief minister in 2014.
In 2024, when the BJP once again elects its own chief minister, many candidates for the post of chief minister were discussed, but the final decision for the post of chief minister was Fadnavis.
Fadnavis, popularly known as Deva Bhau, started his career from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Fadnavis is said to have been blessed by both Delhi and Nagpur.
Devendra Fadnavis is the face of the agreement
In 2013, Narendra Modi was nominated as Prime Minister by the Bharatiya Janata Party. After that, a massive reshuffle began within the organization. In this series, the BJP has also decided to change the state president of Maharashtra. Lobbying for the new president intensified.
At that time, the Nitin Gadkari and Gopinath Munde group dominated the politics of Maharashtra. Gadkari wanted Sudhir Mundivar and Munde to appoint Eknath Khadse as president. The BJP is said to have rejected the claims of both groups and ceded the presidency to Devendra Fadnavis.
Fadnavis was a MLA at the time. Hailing from Nagpur, he also has a good influence in the RSS.
Narendra in the country and Devendra in Maharashtra
A slogan became very popular in Maharashtra after winning the 2014 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The slogan is – Narendra in rural areas, Devendra in Maharashtra. The Bharatiya Janata Party handed over the post of Maharashtra chief minister to Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis served as chief minister from 2014 to 2019.
In 2019, the BJP stepped up to join the fight. It also emerged as the largest party in the Maharashtra elections, after which Fadnavis was elected as the leader of the legislative party, but Fadnavis had to resign as chief minister due to lack of majority.
Fadnavis was later appointed leader of the opposition. Fadnavis played an important role in forming the government after the Eknath Shinde rebellion in 2022. Appointed as deputy chief minister in the Fadnavis government. He was assigned to departments such as Home and Finance.
Big leaders of the BJP are also lagging behind
When Devendra Fadnavis was first elected chief minister, Eknath Khadse, Pankaja Munde, Nitin Gadkari and Vinod Tawde were the main contenders for the chief minister’s post. Nitin remained in Delhi as minister at the Centre. Todt, Mond and Cadese were appointed government ministers.
Meanwhile, Todd was embroiled in controversy over his degree. Pankaja and Khadse were accused of fraud. Tawde and Khadse did not receive votes in the 2019 elections. Kadsey left the team. Meanwhile, Tad entered Delhi politics.
Pankaja Munde managed to get votes but failed to win the election from Parli.
Revenge against Sharad Pawar
In 2019, Devendra Fadnavis had to resign as chief minister precisely because of Sharad Pawar. Fadnavis has also discussed this issue many times. Fadnavis was isolated for a few years, but after the Shinde rebellion, he entered the center of Maharashtra politics.
Fadnavis completed his revenge in 2019 by dismantling Sharad Pawar’s party in 2023. As a result, Ajit lost the CM chairmanship from Fadnavis in 2019. With the help of the same Ajit, Fadnavis became chief minister in 2024.
Thereafter, many BJP leaders started calling Fadnavis a bigger political Chanakya than Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra politics.
How did Devendra Fadnavis enter politics?
Fadnavis started his political career with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and entered politics by serving as a parliamentarian. In 1997, Fadnavis was appointed Mayor of Nagpur. As mayor, he gained immense popularity in Nagpur.
In the 1999 elections, the BJP gave the MLA ticket to Fadnavis from Nagpur West seat. Fadnavis also managed to win. Thereafter, he went on to win the MLA from Nagpur.
In 2013, he assumed responsibility for the organization. Fadnavis has served as the chief minister, deputy chief minister and leader of the opposition in Maharashtra.
