Reviews | Fadnavis 2.0 marks the start of a historic new era in Maharashtra politics

Last update:December 07, 2024, 3:27 p.m. IST

With his vast experience, pragmatism and unwavering commitment to development, Devendra Fadnavis is well placed to take the state to new heights.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File pic

Devendra Fadnavis is one of the quickest to learn Indian politics. Over the past decade, he has gone from being Maharashtra BJP state president to immensely successful chief minister, combative opposition leader and pragmatic deputy CM, with each role adding up to his diverse experience. His ability to adapt quickly to new challenges is remarkable. After being unjustly ousted as CM due to Uddhav Thackeray’s betrayal and returning with the biggest mandate in Maharashtra’s history, Fadnavis has truly come full circle. As he takes oath again as CM, there is every reason to believe that this term will see him assert his leadership and drive the state’s growth, fueled by the lessons he has learned along the way .

Fadnavis as CM (2014–2019)

During his first term, Fadnavis was widely regarded as an efficient and practical administrator, and his many achievements speak for themselves.

One of his most notable successes was the execution of the Jalyukta Shivar Water Conservation Program, aimed at making 25,000 vulnerable villages water sufficient. The initiative has irrigated over 11 lakh hectares of land, with over Rs 500 crore collected from the public. Although it was later abandoned by the Aghadi government, the legacy of the project lives on. With Fadnavis returning, the state can expect a Jalyukta Shivar 2.0 to build on its earlier success.

Fadnavis has also made significant progress in transforming Maharashtra’s law enforcement agencies. During his tenure as CM between 2014 and 2019, over 6,000 CCTV cameras were installed in Mumbai to improve security, and 1,052 police stations were digitized. The conviction rate has increased and cyber labs have been established in every district to combat the rise in cybercrime.

In terms of infrastructure, Fadnavis has been instrumental in the completion of several key projects. One of his landmark decisions was approving the extension of the Mumbai Metro by 150 km to ease traffic congestion in the metropolitan region. His constant efforts towards the metro network have paid off, significantly improving the mobility and quality of life of Mumbaikars. He also launched the project for an international airport in Navi Mumbai and initiated an ambitious project to build 10 new airports in tier 2 and tier 3 cities for better connectivity. Additionally, he allocated funds for the Mumbai-Delhi industrial corridor.

Perhaps the most iconic infrastructural achievement was the 712 km-long Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway, which connects 24 districts, bringing development to every corner of Maharashtra. This project was conceptualized, approved and completed in record time. Fadnavis also passed the Right to Services Bill, bringing 369 services online, significantly improving the convenience of people across the state.

Fadnavis as Leader of Opposition (2019–2022)

The period 2019-2022, marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, turned out to be another defining phase in Fadnavis’ career. He became the only leader in the country to visit every district of Maharashtra at the height of the outbreak, assessing the state government’s administrative response to the crisis and holding it accountable. Even when Fadnavis later contracted the virus, he chose to seek treatment at a government hospital, alongside many others who were suffering.

As leader of the opposition, Fadnavis also exposed the extortion politics of the MVA coalition and exposed the Vasooli scam that flourished under the Uddhav government. When Fadnavis pulled off a coup to dethrone Uddhav Thackeray, everyone expected him to become CM, but instead he graciously accepted the post of Deputy CM, allowing Eknath Shinde to lead the state.

Fadnavis as Deputy CM (2022-2024)

Fadnavis’ tenure as deputy CM tested his skills in coalition politics, especially after Ajit Pawar’s NCP joined the government, forming a three-party coalition. Despite this, Fadnavis put aside his personal ego to focus on putting the state back on the path of development. The backlog from the previous government was considerable, but under his leadership the state quickly regained momentum, greenlighting new projects and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

During this period, Fadnavis revived many stalled infrastructure projects. The Atal Setu Bridge was inaugurated, major parts of the coastal road project were completed and the Aqua Line metro project became operational. Moreover, the Mahayuti government launched welfare schemes worth Rs 96,000 crore, including Rs 46,000 crore earmarked for the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Fadnavis ensured that these social initiatives were financially viable.

Fadnavis as CM Again (2024)

Fadnavis’ dream of transforming Maharashtra into a $1 trillion economy is something he is deeply passionate about. As CM once again, he is determined to achieve this goal and cement his legacy as the most successful leader in the state. The experiences he has acquired in recent years, confronting complex political challenges, have only strengthened his determination and sharpened his political acumen.

Maharashtra’s future looks bright under Fadnavis’ leadership. With his vast experience, pragmatism and unwavering commitment to development, he is well placed to take the state to new heights.

The writer is a well-known author and national spokesperson of the BJP. The opinions expressed in the article above are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of News18.