NEW DELHI: Shortly after being sworn in as Maharashtra’s chief minister for the third time, Devendra Fadnavis took his first official action by approving monetary assistance of Rs 5 lakh for a bone marrow transplant patient. According to the chief minister’s office, the funds from the chief minister’s relief fund were sanctioned for Chandrkant Shankar Kurhade, a Pune resident.
Fadnavis directed the administration to expedite work processes and stressed the need to meet public expectations with urgency. “We need to work faster, delve deeper into issues, and prioritise sustainable development while making key decisions,” he urged officials.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, was attended by key national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, and defence minister Rajnath Singh. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as deputy chief ministers, underscoring the strength of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.
Political journey and achievements
Born on July 22, 1970, in Nagpur, Devendra Fadnavis comes from a middle-class family and holds a law degree, a postgraduate degree in business management, and a diploma in project management. His political career began in 1992 as a councillor in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, where he served two consecutive terms. He has since been elected as an MLA five times.
Fadnavis first served as Maharashtra’s chief minister from 2014 to 2019, becoming the second-youngest person to hold the position after Sharad Pawar. During his tenure, he managed key portfolios, including Home, IT, Urban Development, and Ports. His leadership saw several flagship initiatives, such as the Mumbai Next project, the Police Digitisation Project, the Samruddhi Expressway, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krishi Sanman Scheme.
He briefly served as chief minister for five days during the 2019 Maharashtra political crisis.
Historic 2024 election victory
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a landslide victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Election, securing 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena with 57 seats and the NCP with 41 seats. Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a significant defeat, with Congress winning just 16 seats, the Shiv Sena (UBT) 20, and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 10.
With this mandate, Fadnavis is set to lead Maharashtra into a new phase of governance focused on stability and sustainable development.