Devendra Fadnavis

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Devendra Fadnavis
Devendra Fadnavis @Vidhan Sabha 04-03-2021.jpg
28th Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
Assumed office
1 December 2019
GovernorBhagat Singh Koshyari
Preceded byVijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar, INC
18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra
In office
23 November 2019 – 26 November 2019
Preceded byPresident's rule
Succeeded byUddhav Thackeray
In office
31 October 2014 – 8 November 2019
Preceded byPresident's rule
Succeeded byPresident's rule
Additional ministries
In office
31 October 2014 – 08 November 2019
Ministry and Departments
  • General Administration.
  • Law and Judiciary.
  • Ports.
  • Information and Public Relations.
  • Information Technology.

Other departments not allocated to any Minister :

Preceded by
Succeeded by
Leader of the House Legislative Assembly
Maharashtra
In office
31 October 2014 – 08 November 2019
DeputyGirish Mahajan
Preceded byPrithviraj Chavan
Succeeded byUddhav Thackeray
Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
Assumed office
30 October 2009
Preceded byConstituency created
ConstituencyNagpur South West
In office
1999–2009
Preceded byVinod Gudadhe Patil
Succeeded bySudhakar Shamrao Deshmukh
ConstituencyNagpur West
Mayor of Nagpur
In office
1997–2001
ConstituencyRam Nagar ward
President of Bhartiya Janata Party Maharashtra State
In office
2013–2014
Preceded byVinod Tawde
Succeeded byRaosaheb Danve
Personal details
Born (1970-07-22) 22 July 1970 (age 51)
Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)Amruta Fadnavis
Children1
ResidenceDharampeth, Nagpur
Alma materNagpur University,
Free University of Berlin
Websitewww.devendrafadnavis.in

Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis (Marathi pronunciation: [d̪eʋeːn̪d̪ɾə fəɖɳəʋiːs], born 22 July 1970) is an Indian politician who is the current Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He also served as the 18th[1] Chief Minister of Maharashtra (CM), in office from 31 October 2014 to 8 November 2019. He was the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Fadnavis took an oath for the second term as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 23 November 2019. He resigned on 26 November 2019, just three days after taking an oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and a day before a floor test in the Assembly of Maharashtra. Later he resigned as CM stating the lack of a BJP majority as the reason.[2]

Fadnavis is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. At the age of 44, he became the second youngest Chief Minister of Maharashtra after Sharad Pawar. Fadnavis represents the Nagpur South West constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He was the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra from Bharatiya Janata Party and the second after Vasantrao Naik to have completed his full tenure as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Devendra Fadnavis with daughter Divija Fadnavis and wife Amruta Fadnavis

Early life and education[]

Fadnavis was born in a Brahmin family in Nagpur. His father, Gangadhar Fadnavis, served as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council from Nagpur. His mother, Sarita Fadnavis, who is a descendant of the Kaloti family of Amravati, was the former director of the Vidarbha Housing Credit Society.[3][4]

Fadnavis received his initial schooling from Indira Convent, named after then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. During the Emergency, Fadnavis' father, being a member of the Jan Sangh, was incarcerated for participating in anti-government protests. Fadnavis subsequently refused to continue his schooling at Indira Convent as he did not want to attend a school named after the Prime Minister he held responsible for jailing his father. He was then transferred to the Saraswati Vidyalaya school, Nagpur, where he received most of his schooling.[5][6] After completing ten years of schooling, Fadnavis attended Dharampeth Junior College for his higher secondary. After completing his 12th standard, he enrolled at Government Law College, Nagpur for a five-year integrated law degree and graduated in 1992.

Fadnavis also has a post-graduate degree in Business Management and a diploma in Methods and Techniques of Project Management from DSE (German Foundation for International Development), Berlin.[7]

Political career[]

Fadnavis began his political career in the mid-nineties.[8] Since that time he served in multiple leadership roles for both his political party and as an elected representative. As a college student, Fadnavis was an active member of the BJP affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).[9] He won his first municipal election from Ram Nagar ward[10][11] in the year 1992 at the age of 22 and became a corporator. 5 years later, in 1997, Fadnavis at 27 became the youngest mayor of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and became the second youngest mayor in the history of India.[12][13]

He is representing Nagpur in the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra State (Vidhan Sabha) since 1999.

Term as Chief Minister of Maharashtra[]

After the 2014 assembly elections, Fadnavis was elected the legislative party leader by the BJP MLAs in the presence of the party's central observers, Union Home minister Rajnath Singh and the party's National General Secretary Jagat Prakash Nadda.[14] As the leader of the largest party in the assembly, Fadnavis was appointed as the chief minister of Maharashtra on 31 October 2014.[15] His government won a confidence motion by voice vote on 12 November 2014 allowing it to govern.[16][17]

Flagship Projects & Initiatives[]

Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan[]

Visit of Hon. CM Devendra Fadnavis Jalyukta Shivar Site Arvi Savangi

In the year 2014 the flagship programme launched by then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, key aim of Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan was to establish belief in a farmer that “every drop of rainwater is owned by me and it should percolate in my land”, bringing water empowerment to 25,000 drought-affected villages in Maharashtra.[18] Unfortunately the scheme started with much fanfare yielded no results for the state. The Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) Report pointed out glaring omissions which resulted in wastage of Rs. 9634 cr from Maharashtra state budget. The CAG report stated "The objective of the Abhiyan was to harvest maximum rainwater and arrest maximum runoff. However, it was observed that in 120 villages under test check, the storage planned was less than the estimated runoff by 1.64 lakh thousand cubic meter (TCM). Shortfall in creation of storage vis-à-vis planned storage (was observed) in 83 out of 120 selected villages, the storage created was not sufficient to meet the water requirement for drinking and cultivation to the extent of 61,045 TCM".[19]

Mumbai Next[]

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched ‘Mumbai Next' on January 30, 2015, a plan to convert the country's financial capital into a worldwide financial and entertainment hub. On February 6, the Fadnavis government held a high-profile conference under the project's umbrella, which was attended by Tata Sons Ltd chairman Cyrus Mistry, Reliance Industries Ltd chairman Mukesh Ambani, and other prominent business leaders.[20]

Police Digitisation Project[]

Hon. CM Devendra Fadnavis launch (CCTNS)_15-9-2015 _Maharashtra Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems

On 15 September 2015, then-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Maharashtra Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) in Nagpur, advancing the state's ambitious ambition to digitise its police force. The measure was intended to increase openness, enhance cooperation across police stations, and increase accountability. Fadnavis, who was then the state's home minister, stated, "The CCTNS initiative would put all police stations in the state online and paperless." The initiative acquired pace over the course of six months and has finally become a reality.”[21] Maharashtra quickly became the country's first state to establish India's first crime-criminal tracking network (CCTNS). Fadnavis inaugurated the CCTNS with the opening of 42 cyber labs concurrently.[22]

Digital initiatives - LAUNCH OF CYBER LABs & 500 VILLAGES DIGITISED[]

In the year 2016, Stating that Maharashtra will lead the digital revolution in the country by 2018, then CM Devendra Fadnavis launched several digital initiatives on the occasion of the 70th Independence Day. He hoisted the national flag in the State Headquarters- Mantralay on 14 August. The ceremony was attended by several top bureaucrats, police officials, and public representatives. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Fadnavis counted the achievements of his government in the last 22 months. "We have provided relief of over Rs 9,000 crore to farmers of the state in the situation of drought... We ran a special train for providing water. With our flagship scheme like Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan, 4,000 villages were made drought-free. In the future we will strive to undertake programme for sustainable agriculture", Fadnavis said.[23]

State of Maharashtra Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART)[]

In 2018 the Maharashtra state government launched an ambitious project – State of Maharashtra Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) – in 10,000 villages with an objective to achieve sustainable farming within the next three years. The project, which was undertaken on a mammoth scale, would cover almost one-fourth of Maharashtra. The state had 40,913 villages. The focus was clearly on villages that were reeling under the worst agriculture crisis compounded by lack of infrastructure and assured value chains to channelise the farm produce. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the project, which was followed by the signing of 50 memoranda of understandings (MoUs) between big corporates and farmers producer groups.[24][25]

Awards and recognition[]

International Accolades[]

In 2015, then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis became the first Indian to be selected for an Honorary Doctorate by Osaka City University, Japan. The 120-year-old university then had so far conferred its supreme honorary degree on only 10 distinguished persons in the world. The university said Fadnavis was chosen for the honour for his initiative taken through major reforms for socio-economic development in Maharashtra.[26] also on 10 September 2015 Fadnavis unveiled a Statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar - The architect of Indian Constitution and the founding father of the Republic of India. - at the Koyasan University in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.[27]

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar statue in Japan

In June 2018, while serving a term as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Fadnavis received the Outstanding Leadership in Development Award by Georgetown University, USA which he dedicated to the people of Maharashtra.[28]

Controversies[]

Call for Patriotic slogans[]

In April 2016, while addressing a rally in Nashik, Fadnavis said that, every Indian will have to chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', and those who refuse to chant the slogan should not live in the country and instead go to Pakistan or China.[29] The day after these statements, Fadnavis issued a clarification after he found himself embroiled in a controversy over the issue.[30]

Short Term Government Formation in 2019[]

On 23 November 2019, Fadnavis formed a government with the help of Ajit Pawar of NCP; however, this government only lasted for a few days.[31] During this short period, Fadnavis chaired a climate resilience meeting with representatives of the World Bank, restarted the Chief Minister's refund cell, and sanctioned ₹5380 crore in aid for farmers.[32]

Political views[]

In November 2020, Fadnavis stated that the view of the BJP is advocacy for Indian reunification in the form of an Akhand Bharat. He declared that "Karachi will be part of India."[33]

Positions held[]

Organisational[]

  • Ward President, BJYM (1989)
  • Office Bearer, Nagpur (west) BJP (1990)
  • Nagpur President, BJYM (1992)
  • State Vice President, BJYM (1994)
  • National Vice President, BJYM (2001)
  • General Secretary, BJP, Maharashtra (2010)
  • President, BJP Maharashtra (2013)

Electoral[]

Personal life[]

Fadnavis is married to Amruta Fadnavis, and has one daughter, Divija Fadnavis.[35]

See also[]

Political offices
Preceded by
Prithviraj Chavan 		Chief Minister of Maharashtra
2014-2019 		Succeeded by
Uddhav Thackeray

References[]

  1. ^ "Devendra Fadnavis sworn is the 27th Chief Minister of Maharashtra". Daily News and Analysis. Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  2. ^ "CM Devendra Fadnavis resigns, says BJP no longer has majority with Ajit Pawar quitting". Economic Times. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Devendra Fadnavis Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history". www.elections.in. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  4. ^ "Who is Devendra Fadnavis?". NDTV. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Kid who protested Emergency - Nagpur's Mr Popular set to don CM mantle". The Telegraph. ABP Group. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Fadnavis to go back to school, for a grand reunion". The Times of India. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  7. ^ "All you need to know about Devendra Fadnavis". Daily News and Analysis. Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  8. ^ Malekar, Anosh (1 October 2019). "The Man Who Defeated the Marathas: The political intrigues of Devendra Fadnavis". The Caravan. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  9. ^ "Devendra Fadnavis is known for keeping his word". Yahoo India News. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  10. ^ "Devendra Fadnavis elected BJP chief in Maharashtra". NDTV. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  11. ^ "Devendra Fadnavis, the CM: City's gift to Mah". The Hitavada. Progressive Writers and Publishers. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  12. ^ "Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis named Maharashtra BJP president". The Times of India. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  13. ^ "Fadnavis 4th CM from Vidarbha". The Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  14. ^ "Maharashtra's BJP chief is RSS-backed scholar who wants Vidarbha state". The Indian Express. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  15. ^ "Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as CM to lead first ever BJP govt in Maha". Firstpost. Network 18. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  16. ^ "Maharashtra: How Devendra Fadnavis led BJP government won trust vote..." Daily News and Analysis. Deepak Rathi. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  17. ^ "Congress, Shiv Sena create ripples, but Devendra Fadnavis sails through trust vote". The Indian Express. Indian Express Group. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  18. ^ "WATER THE REAL SAVIOUR" (PDF). Maharashtra Ahead. 4 (8): 52. Retrieved 17 May 2021. The key aim of JalyuktaShivar Abhiyan is to establish belief in a farmer that “every drop of rainwater is owned by me and it should percolate in my land”
  19. ^ "CAG: Fadnavis government's pet project Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyaan in Maharashtra failed after spending over ₹9K crore". Hindustan Times. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  20. ^ Gadgil, Makarand (2 February 2015). "Devendra Fadnavis unveils 'Mumbai Next' initiative to boost infrastructure". mint. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  21. ^ "CM Devendra Fadnavis launches police digitisation project". The Indian Express. Indian Express Group. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  22. ^ "India's first crime-criminal tracking network system launched: All you should know about it". India Today. India Today. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  23. ^ "Maharashtra CM launches digital initiatives on Independence Day". India Today. Mumbai: India Today. India Today. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2021. We have provided relief of over Rs 9,000 crore to farmers of state in the situation of drought... We ran a special train for providing water. With our flagship scheme like Jal Yukt Shivar 4,000 villages were made drought free. In the future we will strive to undertake programme for sustainable agriculture
  24. ^ "Mumbai: Devendra Fadnavis launches SMART project in 10,000 villages". The Indian Express. Indian Express Group. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Development Projects : State of Maharashtra's Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project - P168310". World Bank. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
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  27. ^ "Fadnavis unveils Ambedkar statue at Japan varsity". The Indian Express. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  28. ^ ""Aspire To Achieve Trillion Dollar Economy By 2025": Devendra Fadnavis". ndtv. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Those who don't say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' have no right to stay in India: Fadnavis". The Hindu. 3 April 2016 – via www.thehindu.com.
  30. ^ "Bharat Mata Ki Jai has nothing to do with religion, says Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis". India Today. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  31. ^ Jadhav, Radheshyam (26 November 2019). "Maharashtra CM Fadnavis resigns". @businessline. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  32. ^ "New CM Devendra Fadnavis clears Rs 5,000 crore aid for farmers, reopens relief fund". The Times of India. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  33. ^ "We believe in 'Akhand Bharat', Karachi will be part of India one day: BJP's Devendra Fadnavis". Times Now. 21 November 2020.
  34. ^ "Meet Devendra Fadnavis: The Mr Clean of Maharashtra politics". The Economic Times. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  35. ^ "Photos: Divija spotted with father Devendra Fadnavis at Umang 2017". mid-day. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
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