Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis at Express Adda Highlights: Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis scripted an incredible return to power in late 2024 — taking the BJP to a majority on its own and ensuring that the party and its allies crossed the two-third mark. The remarkable victory came months after the ruling NDA faced significant losses in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections amid an increasingly fractured political landscape. The Maharashtra CM will discuss ‘Power, Politics and Maharashtra’s Future’ with the Indian Express Group during an interview on Wednesday evening.
Fadnavis took oath as Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a mere 70 hours in November 2019 before the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance crumbled. The then-undivided party led by Uddhav Thackeray had subsequently formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government with the NCP (also undivided) and the Congress. Fadnavis was key to BJP’s strategy of wresting power from the Thackeray-led government in June 2022. He had also played a major role in subsequent political changes within Maharashtra.
“I was mocked over my remark Mi Punha Yein (I will return) in 2019. It took two and a half years, but when I returned to power, I caused two political parties to split, ” Fadnavis reminded during an event last year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had once famously declared the CM “Nagpur’s gift to the country” — a statement that appears to have held true over the years. Projects long stuck finally found steel and concrete under his watch. Take the Mumbai Metro expansion. It was conceptualised in the early 2000s, and it truly gathered pace during his tenure. He even roped in the DMRC to construct two key corridors. The Atal Setu, a 21-km sea bridge linking South Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, had been stalled for decades until Fadnavis revived it. Similarly, the Mumbai Coastal Road project, which connects Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, saw major breakthroughs and steady progress under his leadership. He greenlit Phase 1 of the Pune Metro Project in 2014 and launched the Samruddhi Mahamarg – a 701-km expressway linking Mumbai to Nagpur.
Fadnavis will be the guest at Express Adda in Mumbai on Wednesday. He will be in conversation with Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express Group, and Vandita Mishra, National Opinion Editor, The Indian Express.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis at Express Adda Live
"I admire many things about Sharad Pawar...and there are also things that I am against. But I would hail his consistency. Whether he wins or loses...he continues to work irrespective of the circumstances," the Maharashtra CM said.
He also highlighted the experiences of Sharad Pawar while fielding a light-hearted question about Opposition CMs he admired.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Maharashtra CM reveals plan for $100 billion infrastructure deal'
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Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis assured that his government had no plans to begin construction along the coastal road or on the turf club.
"We will not allow any real estate structures along land acquired for Coastal Road and Mahalaxmi Race Course," he reiterated.
He also voiced hope that the environment would gradually become a voter concern.
"Awareness is increasing and especially the upcoming generation...environment is an issue for them. So I imagine voter concerns about the environment will increase in Maharashtra," he added.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: 'The Mumbai garbage problem is being solved through...'
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed that efforts were being made to solve the ongoing garbage problem faced by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: CM heralds Dharavi 'transformation'
The Maharashtra CM indicated that the Dharavi redevelopment would be the world’s largest urban rejuvenation project.
Key highlights of the plan include:
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Mumbai to get a third airport?
"In the coming 4-5 years, we're going to start work on the third airport of Mumbai close to the proposed Vadhvan Port in Palghar district," he revealed.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Work underway on Dahanu Port
Fadnavis said work has been started on the Dahanu Port and at least part of the work is likely to be completed within two years.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: CM highlights vision for urban transformation
Devendra Fadnavis has unveiled a development roadmap for Mumbai and the MMR region.
Key highlights include:
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Virar-Alibaug corridor to start this year?
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed that that his administration plans to make Virar-Alibaug corridor functional from this year.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Maharashtra CM reveals plans to reduce Mumbai local train fares
"We've proposed that all local trains be made air-conditioned and all tickets be priced the way non-AC trains are priced. And most probably Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will approve this," Fadnavis revealed.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Water taxis in Mumbai?
"We're going to start water taxis from south Bombay and gradually expand it. The good news is...we've already brought various facilities including these water taxis under a single ticket," he said.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Maharashtra to get 'new Mantralaya'?
"High Court will soon shift to Bandra. Mantralaya we do not intend to shift anywhere else. Connectivity is being improved...especially with a tunnel that is under construction. I do have a plan to make a 'new' Mantralaya though...and create an administrative district," he revealed.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: CM explains timeline for NAINA project
The NAINA project or Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area, is a planned city that is being developed around the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Fadnavis also revealed plans to create an 'Edu city' that is projected to host around 100,000 students within NAINA.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Mumbai Metro project to be completed within next few years?
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the various Mumbai Metro lines are likely to be completed within the next four years. Several other construction projects are also underway including an extension of the Coastal Road to connect with the airport.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Maharashtra CM on clash with comedians
"If you ask me...politically it's better to ignore such people. They are not worth it. But sometimes our party and some our allies too react with emotion. I personally would prefer to ignore such comments and people," he said.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: 'A strong Opposition does not exist'
"We welcome a Opposition that fights with us. But where is this Opposition? They don't exist...We've seen a 'vote jihad' in recent years...even Maharashtra has seen this pattern. Anarchist forces engineered this polarised voting pattern. Democracy teaches us how to fight against other parties. But not against such forces...that's why people voted for 'nationalist forces' in the state elections," he said.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Maharashtra CM on love jihad
"If there are factual issues in the country, they have to be spoken about. We cannot sweep them under the carpet. Even I used to think at one point that the issue of love jihad was being exaggerated. I have no problem with inter-caste, inter-faith marriages. But a study I undertook showed that there have been thousands of cases in interior areas where women are married under false pretexts before being abandoned with young children. This is not a poll topic for me...I'm not looking to 'polarise'. It is necessary to check wrongdoing. So I will continue to talk about this issue," he said.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: CM touches upon Mumbai metro station flooding
"16 stations were inaugurated and one was partially done. By August we were slated to finish the full work. It was through those unfinished walls and areas that water seeped in. The other areas functioned flawlessly and I can assure that such a complaint will never resurface once the official inauguration is done in August," he assured.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Corruption role in Maharashtra rain mayhem? CM says...
"Two things are responsible for this situation. Firstly we designed based on monsoon indicators from the past 20 years. But now due to climate change...things are changing. Like you saw earlier this week. Monsoon has not even arrived and there was 200 mm of water descending on Mumbai. Secondly we're also adding several pumping stations and the BMC runs thousands of additional pumps during monsoon. But these are typically switched on from June 1. And you saw the situation this week. Along with these issues...the role of corruption is undeniable," he explained.
Fadnavis said that the police has now been given full permission to take punitive action against wrongdoers --- which might be gradually improving the situation. He also stressed the need to undertake more research and learning about climate change.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Maha CM stresses need to fight corruption
"Corruption is an issue and I feel that it can only be tackled using technology. It has always been an urgent issue for me...and I think the government cannot be efficient if it is not tackled," he opined.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: Maharashtra CM says he fast-tracked 60,000 promotions after taking charge
“In the General Administration Department, 60,000 promotions were pending for long. After taking charge I fast tracked the process,” said Fadnavis.
Devendra Fadnavis Live: 'End to end digital governance'
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his administration his awas working to ensure end-to-end digital governance and ensure that people did not have to actually visit offices to get work done.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will be the guest at Express Adda in Mumbai on Wednesday evening. The interaction will be streamed via YouTube from 7:00 pm.