'Sitting here': Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis hints at Mahayuti's chief minister face

NEW DELHI: Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the ruling Mahayuti alliance does not need to announce its candidate for Maharashtra ’s chief ministerial post, as the “chief minister is right here” without naming anyone.

Speaking at a joint press conference with chief minister Shinde and deputy CM Ajit Pawar by his side, Fadnavis made it clear that their leadership is already established.

“Our chief minister is sitting right here,” Fadnavis declared, without naming any specific opponents.

In a pointed challenge to the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), he said, "The MVA isn't announcing their CM face because they themselves don't believe their candidate will be able to take the position post-elections. I challenge Pawar Sahab to declare their candidate for the CM post."

Fadnavis did not hold back as he further criticized the MVA, which comprises the Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under Sharad Pawar.

He accused the previous MVA government of corruption and misconduct, saying, "This is the alliance whose home minister was jailed for accepting a bribe of Rs 100 crore, who planted bombs outside a businessman’s house, and who jailed journalists. They are in no position to lecture us on law and order. In their tenure, Nirbhaya Squad vehicles, meant to protect women, were used to escort their leaders. These people, who failed to ensure women’s safety, should not be preaching to us about Nari Shakti."

Fadnavis also highlighted the Mahayuti’s plans for the upcoming elections, saying, "We have already rolled out several schemes, made financial provisions, and set the budget for these programs. In addition, our manifesto will include new schemes and benefits for everyone."

Echoing Fadnavis, chief minister Eknath Shinde also took aim at the MVA, urging them to announce their leader for the opposition. “Our two years of governance and performance is the face of our alliance. Let the MVA declare their face,” Shinde said. He stressed the Mahayuti’s governance record, adding, “Presenting a report card of your government’s performance after two years is no easy task. It requires actual work and accomplishments.”

During the press conference in Mumbai, the trio—Shinde, Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar—released the Mahayuti government's report card, highlighting their achievements over the past two years.

As Maharashtra braces for the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections, the battle lines between the two major alliances—Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi—are clearly drawn. The election marks the first direct contest between these coalitions since the splits within both the Shiv Sena and the NCP.

The MVA, consisting of Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), is keen on replicating its recent Lok Sabha success. On the other hand, the Mahayuti, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena faction led by Shinde, and the NCP faction under Ajit Pawar, aims to retain power, banking on its populist schemes targeting women and youth.

Maharashtra politics has seen dramatic shifts since the 2019 Vidhan Sabha elections, where the BJP secured 26.1% of the votes, the Congress 16.1%, the NCP 16.9%, and the Shiv Sena 16.6%. The BJP and Shiv Sena, then united under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), initially formed a government, but disagreements over power-sharing led to a political crisis. This resulted in the imposition of President’s rule in the state. Devendra Fadnavis was briefly sworn in as chief minister with Ajit Pawar as deputy CM, but both resigned before a floor test could take place.

In November 2019, a new coalition—the Maha Vikas Aghadi—emerged, with Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister, supported by the NCP and Congress. However, the state's political narrative took another turn in June 2022, when Uddhav Thackeray resigned following a rebellion within the Shiv Sena. Eknath Shinde, who led the revolt, formed a new alliance with the BJP and assumed the role of chief minister, with Fadnavis returning as his deputy.