Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed confidence as the Mahayuti alliance inched closer to victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. By 12:45 PM on the day of counting, data from the Election Commission (EC) showed BJP leading on 125 seats, Shiv Sena on 55, and the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, on 38, all part of the ruling coalition.
Reiterating the BJP’s famous slogan, Fadnavis shared on X, “Ek Hain To Safe Hai. Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai,” emphasizing the alliance’s strength. The BJP’s overwhelming lead signals a strong performance, despite earlier challenges in the campaign. Fadnavis is also leading in Nagpur South West, with a margin of over 19,000 votes, according to the latest EC figures.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally congratulated Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Fadnavis for their achievements, marking a key moment for the ruling alliance.
This success is particularly significant for Fadnavis, who had offered to resign as deputy chief minister after the BJP’s underwhelming results in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. His political journey, marked by multiple twists and turns, saw him navigate challenges within his party and alliances.
Fadnavis first rose to prominence as Nagpur’s youngest mayor, before becoming chief minister in 2014 after the BJP emerged as the largest party in the assembly. However, the 2019 elections saw a dramatic shift when Shiv Sena demanded the chief minister’s post, leading Fadnavis to briefly ally with Ajit Pawar’s NCP. This government lasted only 72 hours, and Fadnavis then served as Leader of the Opposition.
In 2022, following a rebellion by Eknath Shinde and 39 other MLAs, the MVA government collapsed. Fadnavis returned as Deputy Chief Minister under Shinde’s leadership, signaling his commitment to the party despite initial reluctance.
