A Vision for Stability and Progress
Devendra Fadnavis, who recently took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time, addressed the media with a strong promise to deliver a stable and transparent government. He emphasized his commitment to steering the state away from political turbulence and towards development. “From 2019 to mid-2022, we witnessed many changes. We hope to avoid similar shocks in the future,” Fadnavis stated. He assured citizens that his leadership would focus on “politics of change and not revenge.”
Maharashtra’s Political Landscape Since 2019
Maharashtra has experienced significant political upheaval in recent years:
- Breakup of BJP-Shiv Sena Alliance: After the 2019 Assembly elections, the long-standing alliance between the BJP and Shiv Sena collapsed.
- Formation of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA): Shiv Sena joined hands with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress to form the MVA government.
- Split in Shiv Sena: In 2022, a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde caused the Shiv Sena to split, leading to the collapse of the MVA.
- Shinde’s Alliance with BJP: Eknath Shinde allied with the BJP and took over as Chief Minister, with Fadnavis serving as Deputy CM.
With Fadnavis now returning as CM, he aims to bring political stability and renewed focus on governance.
People-Oriented Governance
Fadnavis declared that his government, a coalition of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP (known as the Mahayuti), will prioritize the welfare of the people. Key promises include:
- Transparency: Ensuring open and accountable governance.
- Speedy Development: Accelerating infrastructure projects and economic growth.
- Continuity in Welfare Schemes: Fulfilling commitments such as increasing the monthly stipend under the Ladki Bahin Yojana from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100 for eligible women.
“Our government will function with the sole objective of serving the people and taking Maharashtra forward,” he said.
Focus on Ladki Bahin Yojana
One of the government’s flagship initiatives, the Ladki Bahin Yojana, will see an increase in financial aid to support women. This step underscores Fadnavis’s focus on empowering women and delivering on pre-poll promises.
Leadership Roles and Portfolios
Questions about the allocation of key portfolios like Home and Finance were raised during the press conference. While Fadnavis did not reveal specific details, he assured that these portfolios would remain with the government.
On Eknath Shinde, who previously served as CM and now holds the Deputy CM position, Fadnavis dismissed any speculation of discord. “Shinde immediately agreed to my request to join the government. Roles may have changed, but the focus and direction remain the same,” he stated.
Leader of Opposition in Assembly
The issue of appointing the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Maharashtra Assembly, where the MVA holds fewer than 50 seats, was also discussed. Fadnavis clarified that the decision lies with the new Speaker, set to be elected during a special session starting December 7.
Upcoming Legislative Developments
To kickstart this new phase of governance, a three-day special session of the Maharashtra Assembly will begin on December 7 in Mumbai. During this session:
- Election of Assembly Speaker: Scheduled for December 9.
- Cabinet Expansion: The Mahayuti government’s cabinet will be expanded before the state legislature’s winter session, which will take place in Nagpur later in December.
The new government aims to bring Maharashtra back on track after years of turbulence by focusing on people-centric policies and avoiding political vendettas. The next five years will be crucial for the state as it seeks to achieve accelerated growth and governance reforms under fadnavis’s leadership.
