Devendra Fadnavis, a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics, is poised to return as chief minister for a third term following the BJP's decisive performance in the state assembly elections.
Known for his resilience and strategic acumen, the 54-year-old leader has held the position twice before, with a political career marked by steady growth and calculated manoeuvres.
Fadnavis' journey from modest beginnings to the state’s top political post has been remarkable. Starting as a relatively unknown corporator, he went on to become Nagpur's youngest mayor at the age of 27. He is also only the second Brahmin to serve as Maharashtra’s chief minister, following Shiv Sena’s Manohar Joshi.
His rise began in earnest during the 2014 assembly elections, where he gained strong backing from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leader Amit Shah. Modi famously described him as "Nagpur's gift to the country," underlining the trust placed in him.
As state BJP president, Fadnavis played a key role in the party’s significant victories in both the 2014 Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
Fadnavis entered politics early, inspired by his father, late Gangadhar Fadnavis, a leader of Jan Sangh and later the BJP. He began his political journey in 1989 by joining the RSS’s student wing, the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad.
By 22, he was elected as a corporator in Nagpur and rose to become mayor five years later. His first assembly win came in 1999, and he has consistently retained his Nagpur South West seat since.
Throughout his career, Fadnavis has maintained a reputation for integrity, remaining untainted by corruption allegations. As an articulate and effective leader, he gained recognition for cornering the previous Congress-NCP government over the irrigation scam.
Fadnavis’ first term as chief minister was marked by a push for infrastructure projects, which earned him support from urban voters. However, his tenure also faced challenges, including significant crop losses due to erratic weather. His initial reluctance to offer loan waivers to affected farmers drew protests.
Additionally, his efforts to address the Maratha community’s reservation demands resulted in legislation that was later struck down by the Supreme Court, leading to dissatisfaction among the community.
The 2019 assembly elections presented a turning point in Fadnavis' career. Despite the BJP’s strong showing, the Shiv Sena’s demand to share the chief minister’s post led to a split in their alliance.
Fadnavis briefly formed a government with NCP leader Ajit Pawar, but it collapsed after just 72 hours. Uddhav Thackeray, backed by the NCP and Congress, assumed the chief minister’s role.
Fadnavis returned to power in June 2022, following a Shiv Sena rebellion led by Eknath Shinde. Though many expected Fadnavis to reclaim the chief minister’s seat, the BJP chose Shinde for the role, assigning Fadnavis as deputy CM.
Initially reluctant, Fadnavis accepted the position, showcasing his loyalty to the party.
Over the last two-and-a-half years as deputy CM, Fadnavis worked to rebuild his influence, culminating in the BJP’s success in the latest assembly elections. His ability to negotiate a seat-sharing agreement between the BJP and Shinde’s faction further demonstrated his strategic skills.
Despite setbacks, including the BJP’s losses in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Fadnavis has remained a central figure in Maharashtra politics. His resilience and adaptability have defined his career, earning him recognition as one of the state’s most capable leaders.
As he prepares for his third term as chief minister, Fadnavis’ ability to navigate challenges and implement his vision will be critical in shaping Maharashtra’s future.
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