Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday charged that the Indian National Congress has drawn ideological inspiration from Maoism and is actively spreading falsehoods to foment anarchy across India. Addressing the concluding session of the BJP State Executive Committee meeting in Pune, Fadnavis urged party workers to prepare for what he called a decisive battle against misinformation.

Key Allegations Against the Opposition

Fadnavis claimed that opposition parties, led by the Congress, are engaged in a sustained campaign of 'fake narratives.' He cited the debate over school curriculum as an example, alleging that when the government introduced what he described as historical corrections, the Opposition raised charges of 'saffronisation.'

He pointed specifically to NCERT textbooks, asserting that under the previous regime, Mughal history was allotted 13 pages while Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was reduced to a single paragraph. 'Our true history was hidden from us for decades. The Modi government rectified this by reducing the Mughals to a single paragraph and allocating 17 pages to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maratha history, shattering their fake narrative,' he said.

Kumbh Mela Corruption Claims Dismissed

The Chief Minister alleged that the Opposition's next target is the upcoming Kumbh Mela, where, he said, they have begun raising corruption allegations. Fadnavis countered that tenders floated for the event came in 20 to 30 per cent below estimated costs, saving over ₹100 crore across individual contracts. He added that audits are being conducted in four distinct stages to ensure accountability.

Invoking Ambedkar and the Constitution

Fadnavis invoked Bharat Ratna B R Ambedkar, recalling that in his final address to the nation, Ambedkar had warned against the dangers of anarchy. He alleged the same threat is being revived today 'under the guise of the Constitution.' 'This is targeted not just against the BJP, but against society at large. The Opposition invokes the Constitution while trampling upon its core values to instigate chaos. However, anyone attempting to misuse the Constitution will end up burning their own hands,' he warned.

He also alleged that Congress — which he accused of having once amended the Constitution to place fundamental rights beyond judicial recourse — is now 'flaunting a red book of the Constitution.' He directly targeted Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying his 'Chhatro Ki Goonj' (Voice of Students) initiative amounts to 'Jhooth Ki Goonj' (Echo of Lies).

Women's Reservation and Maharashtra's Economy

Fadnavis labelled Rahul Gandhi and the former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) constituent parties as the 'killers of the Women's Reservation Bill,' alleging they stalled its passage for years. He expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would ensure the implementation of women's reservation by 2029.

On economic targets, Fadnavis said Maharashtra is on course to achieve a $3 trillion economy by 2030, aligned with the broader national goal of a developed India by 2047. He expressed confidence that the Mahayuti government would overcome all challenges to realise this ambition.

With assembly-level organisational exercises expected to intensify ahead of future elections, Monday's address signals that the BJP's Maharashtra unit is moving early to frame the political narrative on its own terms.