Devendra Fadnavis, affectionately referred to as Devabhau, embarks on his third innings

Mumbai, Dec 5 (NationPress) From a school back-bencher to becoming the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time, Devendra Fadnavis has made significant strides, overcoming various challenges.

Despite the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, attempting to dismantle the alliance and his subsequent role as Deputy Chief Minister in the Eknath Shinde-led MahaYuti government, along with the BJP's disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha elections, Fadnavis remained steadfast. As a dedicated party member and RSS activist, he maintained composure and guided the party towards victory in the state assembly elections.

His journey from a grassroots worker to a corporator in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to the position of Chief Minister is nothing short of remarkable. This ascent was achieved through relentless effort, strategic foresight, and an unwavering belief in turning crises into opportunities.

Born on July 22, 1970, in a modest family in Maharashtra's second capital, Nagpur, he gained insights into politics from his father, Gangadharrao Fadnavis, a former legislator and active Jan Sangh member. His mother, Sarita, played an essential role in his upbringing.

Fadnavis's political journey began in college, where he joined the RSS and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, actively participating in various social organizations.

In 1992, at the young age of 22, he entered electoral politics and became a corporator. By 1997, he was elected as one of the youngest mayors of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. Recognizing his dedication and administrative prowess, the BJP provided him ample opportunities to make his mark in politics.

Fadnavis was first elected as a legislator in 1999 and successfully re-elected in 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019, and the upcoming 2024 elections.

He took on the role of state BJP general secretary in 2010 and later became the state unit chief in 2013.

He established his own reputation by addressing issues such as corruption against the Congress-NCP government. His efforts were instrumental in the BJP achieving a remarkable victory, securing 122 seats in the 2014 elections.

Against the odds, the party’s leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, selected Fadnavis as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 2014, where he completed a five-year term, showcasing his administrative capabilities and solidifying his influence within the party.

In the midst of the Maratha reservation protests, he took proactive steps to introduce a bill ensuring reservation for the Maratha community prior to the 2019 assembly elections. Although the Bombay High Court upheld it, the Supreme Court later annulled the decision.

Fadnavis also received accolades for successfully organizing the ‘Make In Maharashtra’ and ‘Make In India’ summits in Mumbai. He initiated the ambitious Jalyukt Shivar Yojana aimed at making Marathwada drought-free.

Additionally, during his tenure, he was pivotal in launching a metro network in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and spearheading numerous infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Coastal Road, Atal Setu, and Mumbai Nagpur Samruddhi Marg.

The Fadnavis-led government’s decision to provide reservation to the Maratha community enabled the BJP to secure 105 seats once more in the 2019 elections.

Following the Shiv Sena's departure from the alliance with the BJP to collaborate with the Congress and NCP, Fadnavis assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly. He effectively challenged the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government over alleged corruption related to the management of the coronavirus pandemic, police transfers, promotions, and the dubious ties between criminals and politicians.

During his time as LoP, two high-ranking ministers from the NCP, Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh, were imprisoned on money laundering charges.

Fadnavis played a significant role in the disintegration of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in June 2022, following a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray. He then became Deputy Chief Minister and collaborated with Eknath Shinde to advance various projects that had been stalled by the previous government.

He was also key in facilitating Ajit Pawar's inclusion in the MahaYuti coalition in July 2023. In anticipation of the assembly elections, Shinde, Fadnavis, and Pawar launched numerous welfare and development initiatives valued at Rs 96,000 crore, including the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which contributed to the coalition's significant victory in the state assembly elections.

Fadnavis devised a strategy for the assembly polls that led to the BJP securing a record 132 seats, positioning him as the natural candidate for the chief minister's role.

With the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, Fadnavis, affectionately known as Devabhau for his endearing relationship with numerous sisters across Maharashtra, has embarked on his third innings with a commitment to accelerate Maharashtra’s growth and transformation.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)