Devendra Fadnavis, who made headlines in Mumbai politics by becoming the face of Delhi in 2014, has now become a mature leader. Fadnavis’s political activities and his statements are testifying to this. Fadnavis, who once used to create political ruckus, now speaks measuredly.
Who should be given credit for what in politics? Fadnavis now knows this very well. This is the reason why when BJP made a clean sweep in Maharashtra, Fadnavis was first seen praising the central high command. Not only this, Fadnavis also made it clear in the press conference that he is not in the race for the post of Chief Minister.
Questions are being raised that what has changed in the last 10 years that a face of Delhi has now become a mature leader?
President and then got the chair of Chief Minister
As soon as Narendra Modi became the Prime Ministerial candidate in 2013, the command of BJP in Maharashtra was handed over to Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis was 43 years old at that time. It is said that Fadnavis’ name was recommended by the Sangh. Fadnavis is a resident of Nagpur, where the Sangh is headquartered.
It is said that at that time there was a tussle regarding the president in Maharashtra. Gopinath Munde and Nitin Gadkari wanted the leader of their respective group to occupy this post, but Fadnavis got the advantage of being neutral.
After becoming the president, Fadnavis started fixing the problems of BJP in Maharashtra. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, like UP and Bihar, the NDA alliance won a big victory in Maharashtra too. Just six months later, in the assembly elections held, BJP emerged as a major party.
Far from majority, BJP decided to make Devendra Fadnavis the Chief Minister. This decision of BJP in Maharashtra was important in two ways. First, Fadnavis was not a very popular face. He was considered the leader of the organization in the state. Secondly, Devendra Fadnavis belongs to Brahmin community.
Generally, the post of Chief Minister in Maharashtra has been going between Maratha and OBC.
Temperament and firebrand Devendra
Devendra Fadnavis was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for full 5 years. During this period, his quick-tempered and frybrand image remained in the headlines in Maharashtra politics. While being the Chief Minister, Fadnavis would sometimes get angry at any leader or officer in front of the media and sometimes would threaten the leaders with defamation.
In 2016, Devendra Fadnavis snatches one portfolio each from his own cabinet colleagues Vinod Tawde and Pankaja Munde. This issue becomes so serious at that time that Delhi has to intervene. Actually, both Munde and Tawde were contenders for the post of Chief Minister.
While being the Chief Minister, Fadnavis has also been in the headlines for his harsh remarks against his opponents. He had given the title of ‘Gali Chaap Gunda’ to Raj Thackeray and had talked about putting Ajit Pawar in jail if he came to power.
Devendra Fadnavis of Adhir Image
Devendra Fadnavis remained at the center of BJP’s politics in the Lok Sabha elections 2019, but due to the changed equation after the elections, Fadnavis lost the chair. After losing the CM’s chair, Devendra Fadnavis started the struggle to get it back. At that time President’s rule was in force in Maharashtra.
It is said that Ahmed Patel and Sharad Pawar of Congress wanted to remove President’s rule somehow, so that Mahavikas Aghadi government could be formed in Maharashtra, but it was not so easy.
Meanwhile, a political incident happens and Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as Chief Minister along with Ajit Pawar early in the morning. However, when it comes to proving majority, Ajit returns to uncle’s camp.
In an interview, Fadnavis had called it Sharad Pawar’s trap. There was talk in the political circles of Maharashtra that Pawar and Ahmed Patel together had sent Ajit to Fadnavis, so that President’s rule could be removed immediately.
In 2023, Devendra Fadnavis took revenge from Sharad Pawar with interest. This year, along with Ajit, Fadnavis also brought 40 NCP MLAs into his fold.
And now the story of becoming a mature politician
Devendra Fadnavis has now become a fully mature politician. His statement is considered to be the last statement of Maharashtra BJP. Fadnavis is a contender for Chief Minister but now he is not expressing it like before.
Fadnavis is now playing the game behind the scenes instead of playing the game directly on the political chessboard. The main reason behind this change is the political winds of Maharashtra. Fadnavis knows one thing that Maharashtra politics revolves around coalitions. Here neither friendship with anyone nor enmity with anyone is good.
Road raid goon Raj Thackeray is now his friend. Fadnavis has also realized that being in power is more important than sitting on the Chief Minister’s chair in Maharashtra.
Due to these reasons, now Fadnavis seems to have changed. Quite the opposite from 2014.
