Devendra Fadnavis is New CM of Maharashtra; Check Education, Political Journey and Key Details

Devendra Fadnavis is New CM of Maharashtra; Check Education, Political Journey and Key Details

Mumbai – Devendra Fadnavis is a prominent Indian politician and a Bharatiya Janata Party senior leader (BJP).

He is admired for his administrative acumen and reform-focused approach.

Serving as Chief 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 BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s decisive victory in the recent assembly elections, in which they secured 132 out of 288 seats.

Fadnavis’s tenure is anticipated to prioritise 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.

Early Life and Education

Born on July 22, 1970, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Fadnavis comes from a politically active family; his father, Gangadhar Fadnavis, was a BJP leader.

He holds a law degree and has pursued further education in business management and project management from institutions including DSE Berlin.

His political career began at an early 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 councillor in Nagpur Municipal Corporation in 1992 and quickly rose through the ranks. He became the youngest mayor of Nagpur at age 27.

His significant political breakthrough came in 2014 when he was appointed as the 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.

In addition to his role as Chief Minister, Fadnavis has held various key portfolios, including Home Affairs, Urban Development, and Law and Judiciary.

He is known for his focus on governance reforms and infrastructure development, implementing initiatives like the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan aimed at making Maharashtra drought-free.

Recent Developments

Fadnavis’s return as Chief Minister comes after a tumultuous period in Maharashtra politics, particularly following the 2019 assembly elections that led to a brief government formation with Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which lasted only three days.

His political resilience and strategic acumen have been highlighted throughout his career, especially during challenging times such as the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government from 2019 to 2022.

What are some key achievements of Devendra Fadnavis during his previous terms as CM?

Devendra Fadnavis, during his previous terms as Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019, achieved several significant milestones that contributed to the state’s development and governance. Here are some key achievements:

Infrastructure Development

Mumbai Coastal Road Project: Initiated to enhance connectivity and alleviate congestion along Mumbai’s coastline, this project gained momentum under Fadnavis’s leadership, marking a significant step in urban infrastructure development.

Metro Projects: The Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur Metro projects were expedited during his tenure, showcasing a commitment to improving public transport.

Water Conservation Initiatives

Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan: This ambitious program aimed to make Maharashtra drought-free by creating over 600,000 decentralised water structures across more than 22,000 villages. It mobilised community participation and became a people’s movement for water conservation.

Marathwada Water Grid Project: Launched to address chronic drought issues in the Marathwada region, this project involved lifting water from the Konkan region to ensure sustainable irrigation.

Agricultural Reforms

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krishi Sanman Yojana: This scheme provided a loan waiver of ₹34,022 crore to benefit around 8.9 million farmers, addressing the financial distress faced by the agricultural community.

Magel Tyala Shettale Scheme: Aimed at enhancing sustainable agriculture and irrigation availability, this initiative achieved over 108% of its target.

Digital Governance

Right to Service Act: Enacted in his first cabinet meeting, this legislation aimed to ensure efficient delivery of public services by bringing 393 services online, significantly benefiting citizens.

Police Digitisation Project: The introduction of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) made Maharashtra the first state in India to digitise its police force comprehensively.

Economic Growth

Investment Attraction: Under Fadnavis’s leadership, Maharashtra attracted significant foreign direct investment (FDI), accounting for nearly 50% of the total FDI inflow into India in 2016.

His administration facilitated the signing of numerous memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during events like the Make In India Summit and Magnetic Maharashtra event, promising investments worth over ₹20 lakh crore across various sectors35.

Social Initiatives

Village Social Transformation Mission: This initiative is aimed at uplifting rural communities through various social responsibility projects supported by industry leaders.

Chief Minister Fellowship Program: Engaging young professionals in governance, this program invited youth to contribute fresh perspectives to policy-making processes.

Fadnavis’s tenure is characterised by a focus on inclusive governance, technological integration in public services, and robust infrastructure development, which collectively aimed to transform Maharashtra into a more prosperous state.

Conclusion

Devendra Fadnavis is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time on December 5, 2024.

His appointment follows a decisive victory by the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the recent assembly elections, where they secured 230 out of 288 seats.

The BJP’s core leadership finalised Fadnavis’s nomination during a meeting, concluding 11 days of speculation regarding the leadership position after the elections held on November 23, 2024.

How He Became Chief Minister Again?

Fadnavis’s return to the chief ministership was marked by several key developments:

BJP Core Committee Meeting: His name was proposed and unanimously supported by senior party leaders during a crucial meeting, solidifying his position as the leader of the BJP legislative party in Maharashtra.

Support from Allies: Eknath Shinde, leader of the Shiv Sena and a key ally in the Mahayuti coalition, publicly stated he would not obstruct Fadnavis’s ascension to the chief minister role, indicating a cooperative stance within the alliance.

Historical Context: Fadnavis previously served as Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019 and briefly held the position again in November 2019 for just over 80 hours before resigning. His political resilience and strategic manoeuvring have been pivotal in navigating Maharashtra’s complex political landscape.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai and is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, further emphasising the significance of this political transition for both Fadnavis and the BJP in Maharashtra.