Mumbai, July 11: Amidst rampant speculation about his potential entry into national politics, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the rumors on Saturday with his characteristic brevity and humor.
When reporters inquired about the increasing chatter regarding his possible leadership role in New Delhi, he dismissed the discussion in a single sentence. “I was just in Delhi the day before yesterday,” he stated, avoiding further elaboration.
The political atmosphere in Maharashtra is charged, with opposition leaders frequently claiming that the BJP high command is planning to send Fadnavis to the center.
This latest wave of rumors was sparked earlier today by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who made several predictions about the future leadership of the state.
Raut asserted that if Fadnavis were to move to the center, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule would be the strongest candidate to succeed him as Chief Minister. “If Chief Minister Fadnavis goes to the center, the reins of the state will be in the hands of Chandrashekhar Bawankule. You might think I would name someone else, but in my view, Bawankule is the most suitable leader from the Vidarbha region after CM Fadnavis. He engages with everyone and knows how to keep the team united. In fact, CM Fadnavis himself will recommend Bawankule’s name,” Raut claimed.
Raut also mocked the current political equations, clearly dismissing any possibility of Eknath Shinde‘s return. “Eknath Shinde will not become Chief Minister again—not at all. On the other hand, Girish Mahajan’s track record has also been quite poor,” he remarked.
In a sarcastic tone, Raut wished Fadnavis the best, suggesting that if he were to go to Delhi, he should aim for the highest position. “There are ongoing discussions about his move to the center. What will he do there? If he becomes Prime Minister before 2029, we would be happy. As fellow Maharashtra residents, we wish him well. Even Uddhav Thackeray has extended his good wishes,” he added, indicating that the opposition believes the BJP may not return to power after 2029.
Raut’s comments align with recent statements made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray during the assembly session, where he suggested that this would be Fadnavis’s last session as Chief Minister. Thackeray stated, “Chief Minister Fadnavis will be given a ministerial role in Delhi. The BJP will not keep him in Maharashtra under any circumstances. His fate will be similar to that of Shivraj Singh Chouhan,” referencing the former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh‘s move to the central cabinet.
Despite the opposition’s ongoing discussions about a leadership change, Fadnavis’s succinct response indicates that the ruling coalition is focused on state governance and dismisses the speculation as mere political conjecture.
Meanwhile, Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule clarified on ‘X’ that, “The rumor mill is active. A similar rumor was spread today. This can be completely termed as baseless. One truth is clear: the 140 million people of Maharashtra wish for our ‘Infra-Man’, Devendra Fadnavis, to remain Chief Minister until 2034. This is essential for a developed Maharashtra. No one should rush to become Chief Minister.”
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