CM Devendra Fadnavis tells mid-day all about his plans for Mumbai after his party wins the BMC polls scheduled for tomorrow
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis speaks at his official residence, Varsha Bungalow, on Tuesday. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has told mid-day that once the BJP wins the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, his priority would be to introduce major administrative reforms. Acknowledging that such changes would face strong resistance, he said the effort was necessary to ensure transparency and efficiency in the civic body. The CM claimed that his only concern (not fear) was voter turnout, while adding that a key advantage for the BJP-led alliance was the cordial coordination between himself and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, as well as the strong understanding among their respective parties.
The CM further alleged that his opponents, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, have deliberately shifted the campaign’s focus to political issues rather than development, as they would find it difficult to answer questions about their alleged misrule over the past two decades. Stating that the biggest loser will be Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj, the CM claimed that the Mahayuti alliance would win 26-27 of the state’s 29 municipal corporations. He elaborated on his plans for Mumbai, issues related to Bangladeshi migrants, the Thackeray cousins, the possibility of Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar-led NCP factions coming together, and other civic matters during the detailed interview.
Excerpts from the interview:
As the campaigning ends, what is your biggest fear, and biggest advantage?
I don’t have any fear, but my biggest concern is voter turnout. If it increases in comparison to previous elections, it will be good for us. The advantage I see is good coordination and tuning between me and Eknath Shinde, and his party.
What is the sense you are getting from ground zero? Any challenges you see?
Every election is a challenge. We are prepared accordingly. The tone is set. People want change, and we are feeling that pulse. The BJP-Shinde Sena will comfortably cross the halfway mark without any support from others.
What is your analysis of the poll, its outcome?
The biggest loser will be MNS chief Raj Thackeray.
Poll campaigning was more political entertainment, less about citizens...
I have always focused on development. Municipal corporations, except for Mumbai, saw more development. But here, the Thackeray cousins deliberately kept talking on with politics and avoided development. Had they spoken about development, Raj and Uddhav would have to show what they had done when they were heading the corporation. The entire campaign was focused on politics to dodge this issue.
What would be the priority if you win?
Our first goal would be to initiate administrative reforms. There is lot to be done. I know we will face a lot of resistance while bringing good change. But we are prepared to meet our goals for the betterment of Mumbai and get rid of massive irregularities seen in the BMC for several years.
What about the issue of illegal migrants, especially Bangladeshis?
We have deported an unprecedented number of Bangladeshi migrants. We have tied up with IIT Bombay for AI-based technology to identify illegal migrants and Bangladeshis. The initial results are good. We will continue with the drive till the desired goal is achieved.
The BJP has been accused of hijacking elections...
Opponents are not finding candidates and are blaming us for the failure. For instance, Kirit Somaiya is the ‘biggest enemy’ for the Shiv Sena UBT and others. Still, no party has put up a candidate against Kirti’s son, Neil.
Is politics becoming more vindictive in nature?
This may be case for others. But for the BJP and me there is no vindictive politics.
Raj Thackeray made the presentation on how Adani Group has grown during BJP regime; is it a corporate war?
It would not be right on my part to comment on that.
How many municipal corporations do you see Mahayuti winning?
We are contesting as an alliance in 15-16 municipal corporations. Mahayuti will have its mayor in 25-27 civic bodies.
You had taken credit for bringing Uddhav and Raj together. Do you also feel you’re the reason for Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar coming together?
Right now, they have come together for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations. If they come together at other places, I will take credit for it.
Will the Marathi narrative bail out the Thackeray cousins?
Thackeray doesn’t mean Marathi. Not all Marathi are with them. We too have dedicated Marathi voters or else we would not have won 15 of the 36 MLA seats in Mumbai. Without supporft of Marathi we would not have been able to given consistent performance in Mumbai in the 2014, 2019 and 2024 elections. The Thackeray cousins are fighting for their survival and not for the community.
Is it Thackeray or DevaBhau brand?
There was only one brand Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray. Now, one brand is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is no other brand. Not Raj, not Uddhav, and not even me.
How do you see BJP’s progress?
The BJP is undoubtedly the No. 1 party of Maharashtra. It will remain so in 2029 and thereafter. Politics will revolve around the BJP.
Why BJP is trying to take everything out of Mumbai?
We are not taking anything out. We are developing other areas surrounding Mumbai. Pune is the fastest-growing urban city. We are making the GCC (Global Capacity Centre) and see Rs 15,00,000 crore in investments through this. But, this investment will take seven to 10 years. It is long term planning.
There are allegations within BJP that more seats were offered to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena during seat sharing, rebels giving tickets to outsiders...
In an alliance, sometimes you have to give more and sometimes you get more. It is part of the process when elections are contested in an alliance. When I was told about rebels, I asked for complete data. I realised that not more than 10 per cent of the seats were allocated to outsiders, and that this percentage is even lower in some areas.
In most areas the percentage is around 5 per cent or less. Also, while giving tickets to outsiders, only those who have given 10-15 years of service to politics were considered, not newcomers.
Your Mahayuti alliance partners have been making allegations against each other... Ajit Pawar taking potshots at BJP... Ganesh Naik lashing out against Eknath Shinde...
It was decided that no one would speak against each other during campaigning. But Ajit Pawar broke the rule. I still haven’t uttered any word against any of the alliance parties or members. Even BJP leader and Minister of Forests Ganesh Naik making statements against Shinde isn’t right.
Would you like to be remembered as a man with development vision or one who reshaped the political alliance in Maharashtra?
It is up to each individual how they would like to remember me. But, I personally would like to be remembered as ‘Changla Manoos’ (good human being).
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