In an exclusive pre-election conversation held on Friday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed a wide array of pressing topics, from his political right to speak for Mumbai to the intricacies of the ruling Mahayuti alliance and his vision for the city's future.
On Mumbai, Legacy, and Political Alliances
Responding to criticism from the Thackeray cousins about not being born in Mumbai, Fadnavis offered a sharp rebuttal. He pointed out that the late Balasaheb Thackeray, widely revered for his understanding of the city, was also not a native. "Mumbai may not be my janmabhoomi (birthplace) but it's been my karmabhoomi (workplace) since 1999," he asserted, questioning the administrative record of those who were born there.
On the BJP's alliance with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Fadnavis called it a "moral responsibility" to uphold Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy, which he believes now rests with Shinde. He described the partnership as a "win-win situation" combining respective vote banks, necessitating seat-sharing compromises like in Kalyan-Dombivli and Jalgaon. He even dismissed the idea of a rotational mayor's post, stating, "We can give them the mayor's post for five years also."
Fadnavis expressed absolute confidence in the longevity of the Mahayuti alliance with Shiv Sena and NCP, stating it will continue "till 2029 and hopefully thereafter." He defended the alliance with NCP's Ajit Pawar as an act of "political realism," necessary to gain power and implement the BJP's principles.
Addressing Internal Dissent and Local Alliances
The Chief Minister acknowledged discontent among women party workers over ticket distribution, attributing it to a larger pool of aspirants for a constant number of seats. He noted, however, that 55% of seats have been given to women, exceeding the 50% reservation mark, and called their assertiveness a positive development.
He admitted to errors in local electoral tactics, specifically calling the alliance with Congress in Ambernath "100% wrong" due to entrenched local enmities. He also condemned an indirect alliance with AIMIM in Akot, stating suspension notices were issued after he learned of it, as lower-level workers didn't grasp the repercussions.
Dismissing allegations that unopposed victories in local polls were due to muscle and money power, Fadnavis argued that if that were true, it would have happened in Mumbai too. He cited the wipeout of Congress and NCP in areas like Kalyan-Dombivli as a reason.
Roadmap for Mumbai: AI, Metro, and Redevelopment
Outlining his vision for Mumbai, Fadnavis highlighted the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR)-2034. A key initiative is an AI-powered platform for clearing building proposals in the BMC to eliminate human subjectivity and corruption. With Mumbai landlocked, he advocated for vertical growth within limits, alongside concretising all Development Plan roads.
To improve the quality of life, he emphasized over 400 km of planned metro network, improved suburban rail services with state funding, and electric buses. Projects like the Worli-Sewri connector, slated for December 2026, and new sewage treatment plants are part of the plan to decongest and clean the city.
On the contentious Dharavi redevelopment, Fadnavis assured that all eligible residents would be rehabilitated within Dharavi. For ineligible persons, the government plans to provide 12 years of rental housing in various locations, including a reclaimed dumping yard in Deonar, using bio-mining and capping techniques used successfully in Nagpur. He also mentioned ongoing talks with the Central government for in-situ redevelopment of slums on airport and railway land.
Finally, addressing bureaucratic reform in the BMC, Fadnavis acknowledged the challenge, citing the perception that politicians are transient. He mentioned working on inter-corporation staff transfers but noted the unmatched scale of the BMC poses unique difficulties.
