Fadnavis Attributes BJP's Civic Poll Triumph to Modi Leadership, Not Pawar Rejection
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis firmly dismissed suggestions on Saturday that voters had rejected Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in his home turf. Instead, he asserted that the recent civic poll results represented a clear endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the Bharatiya Janata Party's governance model.
Voters Accepted Modi's Leadership, Says Fadnavis
"I will not say that people have rejected dada," Fadnavis stated, referring to Ajit Pawar by his popular nickname. "Rather, they have accepted the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the BJP and us." The chief minister made these remarks while speaking to reporters, as quoted by the Press Trust of India.
His comments came just one day after the BJP achieved a sweeping victory in crucial civic elections. The party secured dominant positions in both Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations, areas long considered strongholds of the Pawar political family.
Pawar Alliance Fails to Stem BJP Surge
Ajit Pawar had allied with his uncle Sharad Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party for these civic elections. Despite this combined effort, the alliance could not prevent the BJP's impressive surge at the polls.
When journalists asked Fadnavis who now held the title of 'dada' in Pune politics following these results, he offered a humble response. "The people of Pune are the dada, and we are their sevaks," the chief minister declared, emphasizing that ultimate authority rests with the electorate.
Landslide Mandate Brings Responsibility
Fadnavis expressed profound gratitude to voters for what he described as a "landslide" mandate. "I thank the voters of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad for reposing their faith in the BJP and giving us a landslide victory," he said. "I am not merely thanking them; I am indebted to them."
The chief minister acknowledged that while the results brought encouragement, they also carried significant responsibility. "While we are happy with this mandate, it also reminds us of our responsibility towards these cities," he added thoughtfully.
Campaign Attacks and Voter Response
During the campaign period, Ajit Pawar had launched strong attacks against BJP-led civic administrations. He alleged various irregularities and highlighted stalled development projects between 2017 and 2022.
Fadnavis noted that the election results had settled speculation surrounding the contest. He observed that the BJP's performance exceeded many expectations. "The results were beyond the expectations of many people," the chief minister remarked.
Trust in Development Vision
According to Fadnavis, voters placed their trust specifically in the BJP's development vision and Modi's national leadership. "We will have to work even harder to live up to the trust that people have placed in us," he committed.
The chief minister promised immediate action following the election of mayors. "I will ensure that the vision we presented before the people is translated into reality immediately after the mayor is elected," Fadnavis assured.
Decisive Electoral Numbers
The BJP secured a commanding 119 out of 165 seats in the Pune Municipal Corporation. Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction managed to win only 27 seats. Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) secured just three seats in the same civic body.
In Pimpri Chinchwad, the BJP's performance proved equally impressive. The party won 84 out of 128 seats, comfortably crossing the majority threshold required for governance.
These results mark a significant political shift in regions traditionally dominated by the Pawar family's influence. The BJP's strong showing suggests changing voter preferences and growing acceptance of the party's development agenda in urban Maharashtra.
