Maharashtra CM to play bigger role in national politics?

Mumbai: If political pundits are to be believed, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the blue-eyed boy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is eyeing a space in national politics.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also gradually projecting the leader on the national scene, and recent indications suggest that Mr Fadnavis (aka Mr Clean Image) has a bright future in the power corridors of Delhi. Sensing his party’s push, Mr Fadnavis has started working steadily on the ground.

Recently, Mr Fadnavis appointed Manoj Munde as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in Delhi. Though the work norms for this position has still not been finalised, sources told to The Asian Age that bridging relations across the political spectrum will be ‘hidden work’ for him. Mr Fadnavis, however, denies harbouring any ambition to enter national politics. Speaking to The Asian Age on Sunday, he said, “Prime Minister Modiji has been setting new benchmarks of responsive governance and transparency. All the BJP CMs are replicating that model in their states. We are fortunate to have the backing of Modiji as PM and Amitbhai Shah as party president. Now, the only pressure we face is to deliver, and we will achieve that.” Mr Fadnavis’ inclusion in the group of CMs that deal with the ambitious digital payment programme of the Centre also indicates his growing stature. Chandrababu Naidu, Naveen Patnaik and Shivraj Singh Chauhan, the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh respectively, are other heavyweights in this group.     

It may be mentioned here that Mr Fadnavis had recently evaded a question on harbouring prime ministerial ambitions at the Powai IIT’s Mood Indigo festival. The CM had said, “The aspirations of those who wish to be PM never have been fulfilled. Take the example of Sharad Pawar or Mulayam Singh Yadav. So let me remain chief minister”. The leader’s smarts has always aided him, and he is unmatched as a politician in the second-rank leadership of the BJP at the national level. Other choices of the PM for chief ministership in various BJP-ruled states have not shone as brightly as the Maharashtra CM. Besides, time is on his side. At the age of 46, Mr Fadnavis is CM of the second largest state in the country with his clean image intact. The leader’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh background also helps him manoeuvre internal politics of the saffron parivar. Though he is from the RSS, Mr Fadnavis has earned image of a moderate leader carefully.  In the last two years, Mr Fadnavis has been cultivating his image as that of a vote-attracting leader. The BJP is utilising his charisma for the ongoing civic bodies and zilla parishad elections, which will also prove to be Mr Fadnavis’ biggest battle.  Speaking about the CM’s challenges, veteran political analyst Prakash Bal Joshi said, “The Maharashtra CM’s post is the most important one after a central cabinet berth in the country. Mr Fadnavis has been successful – age, image and administrative skills are with him. He only has to prove himself in these elections. If the BJP thinks of bigger changes before the 2019 general elections, he may be taken to Delhi for a national role.”