Maharashtra : Fadnavis' old video creates a buzz

Mumbai, Oct 27 (PTI) Maharashtra BJP on Friday posted a four-year-old video of its leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announcing that he will return to helm the state, prompting speculation in political circles.

“I will return for building a new Maharashtra,” state BJP posted on Friday evening on social media platform X, along with the video.

Before the Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019, Fadnavis, then chief minister, had said, “Mi punha yein” (I will return). The remarks had evoked many social media memes.

Fadnavis is now one of the two deputy chief ministers in Maharashtra, the other one being Ajit Pawar of NCP.

Maharashtra BJP’s chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said there is no need to draw “any other conclusion” from the video posted on Friday.

“BJP’s stance is clear. This video has also been posted earlier on social media. Fadnavis has said the next state elections will be fought under Shinde’s leadership,” he told a TV channel.

“There is no need for the Shinde group to be apprehensive (over the video). Shinde and Fadnavis share a good rapport and coordination. Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are working together for development of Maharashtra,” Upadhye said.

CM Eknath Shinde told a TV channel that he is yet to see the video posted by state BJP unit.

BJP leader Pravin Darekar said Fadnavis has already made it clear that the state government is working fine under Shinde’s leadership.

Former CM and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan wondered if there is a move afoot to replace Shinde as CM. “Maybe Shinde is being made the scapegoat. Such a move may be because the government led by him has failed to tackle important issues,” Chavan added.

The state BJP posted the video two days after Fadnavis visited Delhi and met senior BJP leaders. PTI