Devendra Fadnavis, an influential Indian politician and member of the BJP, will take office as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time on 5 December 2024. His leadership has been reaffirmed after the alliance. The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition won a historic 230 seats in the recent parliamentary elections, marking a major political comeback.
Devendra Fadnavis is a prominent Indian politician and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He is admired for his managerial acumen and reform-focused approach. Serving as Minister from 2014 to 2019, he played a pivotal role in implementing policies aimed at economic growth and infrastructure development.
He will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time on December 5, 2024, following the decisive victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the recent assembly elections, in which they won 132 out of 288. chair.
Fadnavis’ tenure is expected to prioritize development projects, farmer welfare and urban infrastructure, continuing his vision of a prosperous and progressive Maharashtra.
Who is Devendra Fadnavis?
Devendra Fadnavis is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a prominent political figure in Maharashtra. Known for his administrative skills and clean image, he previously served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019.
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Early life and education
Born on 22 July 1970, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Fadnavis comes from a politically active family; His father, Gangadhar Fadnavis, is a BJP leader.
He holds a law degree and has studied further in business management and project management from institutions including DSE Berlin.
His political career began at a young age when he joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in 1989.
Political career
Fadnavis first entered politics as a councilor of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation in 1992 and quickly rose through the ranks. He became the youngest mayor of Nagpur at the age of 27.
His major political breakthrough came in 2014 when he was appointed Chief Minister of Maharashtra after the BJP won a historic number of seats in the state assembly elections.
His tenure from 2014 to 2019 marked him as the first Chief Minister in Maharashtra to complete a full five-year term in nearly five decades.
Apart from being Minister, Fadnavis also holds various important posts, including Home Affairs, Urban Development, Law and Justice.
He is famous for his focus on governance reforms and infrastructure development, implementing initiatives such as the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan to help Maharashtra escape drought.
Recent developments
Fadnavis’s return as Chief Minister comes after a tumultuous period in Maharashtra politics, especially after the 2019 assembly elections led to the formation of a short-lived government with Ajit Pawar of the Congress Party ( NCP), which only lasts three days.
His political resilience and strategic acumen have been evident throughout his career, especially during challenging times such as the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government from 2019 to 2022.
What were some of the major achievements of Devendra Fadnavis during his previous tenures as CM?
Devendra Fadnavis, during his previous tenures as Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019, achieved several important milestones that contributed to the development and governance of the state. Here are some key achievements:
Infrastructure development
- Mumbai Coastal Road Project: Initiated to enhance connectivity and ease congestion along the Mumbai coastline, this project has gained momentum under Fadnavis’ leadership, marking a significant step in development urban infrastructure.
- Metro projects: Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur metro projects were promoted during his tenure, demonstrating his commitment to improving public transport.
Water conservation initiative
- Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan: This ambitious program aims to make Maharashtra drought-free by creating over 600,000 decentralized water schemes across over 22,000 villages. It mobilizes community participation and becomes a people’s water conservation movement.
- Marathwada Water Grid Project: Launched to address the problem of chronic drought in the Marathwada region, this project involves lifting water from the Konkan region to ensure sustainable irrigation.
Agricultural reform
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krishi Sanman Yojana: The scheme provides loan waiver worth ₹34,022 crore to benefit around 8.9 million farmers, addressing the financial hardship faced by the farming community.
- Magel Tyala Shettale Scheme: Aimed at enhancing irrigation and sustainable agriculture, this initiative has achieved more than 108% of its target.
Digital governance
- Services Rights Act: Enacted in his first cabinet meeting, this act aims to ensure efficient delivery of public services by bringing 393 services online, bringing significant benefits to people.
- The Police Digitization: Birth of Crime and Crime Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) project has made Maharashtra the first state in India to fully digitize its police force.
Economic growth
Attracting investment: Under Fadnavis’ leadership, Maharashtra has attracted significant foreign direct investment (FDI), accounting for nearly 50% of total FDI capital in India in 2016.
His administration has facilitated the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in events such as the Make In India Summit and Magnet Maharashtra event, promising investments worth over ₹ 20 lakh crore across various sectors35.
Social initiatives
- Mission to Transform Village Society: This initiative aims to uplift rural communities through various social responsibility projects supported by industry leaders.
- Ministerial Fellowship Program: Attracting young professionals to the field of governance, this program invites youth to contribute new perspectives to the policy-making process.
Fadnavis’ tenure was characterized by a focus on inclusive governance, integration of technology in public services and strong infrastructure development, with the overall aim of making Maharashtra a more prosperous state.
Conclusion
Devendra Fadnavis is expected to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time on December 5, 2024.
His appointment comes after the decisive victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the recent assembly elections, where it won 230 out of 288 seats.
The core BJP leadership finalized the nomination of Fadnavis in a meeting, ending 11 days of speculation over the leadership post the election to be held on November 23, 2024.
How did you become Minister?
Fadnavis’s return to the prime minister’s post was marked by a number of important developments:
- BJP Core Committee meeting: His name was proposed and unanimously supported by senior party leaders in a crucial meeting, cementing his position as leader of the BJP legislature party in Maharashtra.
- Support from Allies: Eknath Shinde, leader of the Shiv Sena and a key ally in the Mahayuti alliance, has publicly stated that he will not stand in the way of Fadnavis ascending to the prime minister’s role, taking a stand. cooperate in alliances.
- Historical background: Fadnavis previously served as Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019 and held the post again briefly in November 2019 for just over 80 hours before resigning. His political resilience and strategic maneuvering played a pivotal role in navigating Maharashtra’s complex political landscape.
The oath-taking ceremony will take place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai and is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, further underlining the importance of this political transition for both Fadnavis and the BJP in Maharashtra.
