Maharashtra CM Fadnavis takes bike ride to Mumbai's Vidhan Bhavan backing PM Modi’s austerity call

CM Fadnavis and Minister Ashish Shelar on a bike ride in Mumbai on Thursday. Pic via special arrangement

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for austerity measures and reduced dependence on fuel-driven vehicles, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis travelled from his official residence, Varsha, to Vidhan Bhavan on a Royal Enfield Classic 350 on Thursday as ten newly elected members of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC), including six from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), took oath at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

BJP leader Ashish Shelar was seen riding pillion during the journey.

IN PHOTOS: CM Fadnavis highlights fuel conservation with bike ride

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Among those sworn in were Neelam Gorhe from Shiv Sena, Omprakash Kadu, popularly known as Bachchu Kadu, Ambadas Danve from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and Zeeshan Siddique from the Nationalist Congress Party.

Watch | Devendra Fadnavis rides motorbike out of Vidhan Bhavan

The CM rode a motorbike from Vidhan Bhavan to Mantralaya in Mumbai.

CM Fadnavis says bike ride was symbolic support for PM Modi's appeal

While speaking to reporters, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the motorcycle ride was a symbolic gesture aimed at encouraging citizens and public representatives to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for austerity and fuel conservation.

"I came on a motorcycle to support the Prime Minister's decision, and I believe when leaders take such steps, it helps influence people as well. We should all support the Prime Minister's decision," Fadnavis said.

The Chief Minister's move drew attention outside Mantralaya and Vidhan Bhavan on Thursday.

Maharashtra government cuts convoys, foreign tours and major events

Fadnavis said the state government has reduced official convoys, cancelled foreign tours, and put major government programmes on hold in support of the Prime Minister's appeal for austerity and fuel conservation.

He further stated that after a scheduled programme in Satara on Friday, no major government events would be organised for the next six months.

Fadnavis calls Opposition criticism ‘immature'

Responding to questions raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders over the Prime Minister's appeal for austerity measures, Fadnavis termed the criticism "immature" considering the current global situation.

He said several countries across the world have implemented much stricter measures during times of crisis, while the Prime Minister had merely appealed to citizens and governments to make small sacrifices and use resources judiciously.

CM cites past governments' austerity measures

Fadnavis noted that similar austerity measures had also been implemented during the tenures of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and P. V. Narasimha Rao, as well as during the tenure of former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

Fadnavis defends PM Modi's foreign visits

Defending Prime Minister Modi's recent foreign visits, Fadnavis said the trips were important from a strategic and diplomatic perspective.

"The Prime Minister never said all foreign trips should stop. He said unnecessary or leisure trips should be avoided. Those making such allegations are behaving foolishly," he said.

Use EVs, save fuel, encourage WFH, says Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde

Meanwhile, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to conserve diesel and cooking gas amid the prevailing war-like situation.

She added that people should prefer electric vehicles wherever feasible and promote work-from-home practices to reduce fuel consumption.