13 July,2026 03:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Pic/PTI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has become the state's third longest-serving Chief Minister, BJP State Chief Spokesperson Navnath Ban said on Monday, while expressing confidence that Fadnavis would eventually become Maharashtra's longest-serving Chief Minister.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office in Mumbai, Ban attributed Fadnavis' political longevity to sustained public support and said the Chief Minister's tenure reflected the confidence reposed in him by the people of Maharashtra.
According to Ban, Fadnavis, who has served as Chief Minister on three occasions, has consistently received public backing because of decisions taken in the interest of the state. He said Fadnavis had earlier completed a full five-year term as Chief Minister and has now become the third longest-serving person to hold the post in Maharashtra.
"There is no doubt that he will go on to become the longest-serving Chief Minister in the state's history," Ban said.
Highlighting the government's development agenda, Ban described Fadnavis as an "infrastructure man" and said his tenure had been marked by the implementation of several major infrastructure and public welfare projects.
He cited projects including the redevelopment of BDD Chawls, the Atal Setu, the Mumbai Metro network, the Coastal Road and the Samruddhi Mahamarg as key initiatives completed under Fadnavis' leadership.
Ban also said Devendra Fadnavis holds the record for announcing the highest farm loan waiver as Chief Minister. Referring to the government's farm relief measures, he said loans of up to Rs 2 lakh had been waived for eligible farmers.
He further claimed that veteran leader Sharad Pawar had appreciated the farm loan waiver decision because it was announced without any immediate electoral considerations.
During the press conference, Ban criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut over his remarks on the Ladki Bahin Yojana and questioned the opposition's criticism of the scheme.
He said women beneficiaries would respond politically to anyone opposing the programme and alleged that the Congress had approached the court seeking to halt its implementation.
Ban asserted that the BJP-led Mahayuti government would continue the scheme as long as it remained in power. He said women currently receive Rs 1,500 per month under the programme and reiterated the BJP's election promise of increasing the assistance to Rs 2,100 per month.
"We will fulfil this promise as well," he said.
Ban also criticised Sanjay Raut and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray over their political alliances with the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, questioning their political positioning.
He alleged that the opposition lacked the moral authority to comment on issues relating to the Ram Temple and accused its alliance partners of taking contradictory positions on the issue in the past.
Taking a swipe at Raut, Ban questioned his political achievements and accused him of frequently making controversial statements. He also alleged that Uddhav Thackeray had moved away from the political ideology associated with his father for electoral considerations.
Commenting on the internal dynamics of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Ban claimed that differences within the opposition alliance were becoming increasingly visible.
Referring to recent political developments, he said Raut was correct in suggesting that Sharad Pawar was taking everyone along, but alleged that Pawar was moving ahead without the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction. Ban further claimed that the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray-led party had become increasingly isolated within the alliance.
