Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday defended the ongoing slum demolition drive in Mumbai, stating that the cycle of people encroaching on land and the government providing homes cannot continue indefinitely. Responding to questions about slum dwellers being evicted without implementation of the Centre's flagship Housing for All scheme, Fadnavis said that Mumbai has seen the largest number of slum dwellers receiving ownership homes in the last decade, and the government will continue this effort.
However, he noted that the court has imposed conditions requiring the government to provide homes only to eligible individuals and remove those who are ineligible. 'These are orders of the court. This cycle cannot continue forever, people will encroach and we will give homes, so the courts have given a deadline, which has been extended. Now those beyond this date, without orders of the court or permission, cannot be given homes and more importantly, at some places specifically, the court has ordered time-bound action and that is being done,' Fadnavis said while addressing a press conference.
Foreign Investment and Data Centres
When asked about the impact of foreign investors withdrawing investments from Maharashtra, Fadnavis acknowledged that foreign institutional investors have withdrawn some money from the stock market. However, he highlighted that this money is being redirected into data centres, with the maximum number of data centre commitments coming to India. 'Data centre commitments to the tune of US $40 billion are at various stages, and Maharashtra has received 55% of these commitments. Some have been given land, in some cases the process is on, and in some cases construction is underway. So more than the money being withdrawn, the money being invested is much more,' he said.
MLC Elections and Alliance with Shiv Sena
Speaking about the upcoming MLC elections, Fadnavis said that differences between the BJP and Shiv Sena have been resolved, and there is now peace in Nashik. 'The BJP and Shiv Sena will together ensure we win the Nashik and Jalgaon seats,' he said.
PM Modi's Legacy
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's record as the longest-serving elected PM, Fadnavis stated that there was no attempt to compare him with the first PM Jawaharlal Nehru. He said Modi had changed the face of the country and brought about a '360-degree transformation'. Modi's legacy, he said, is defined not only by longevity in office but by the scale of change during his tenure. 'As I said, this is not only about being the longest-serving PM but the finest-serving,' he said.
Fadnavis noted that the BJP-led NDA is in office in 22 states, with around 80% of the country's population living in states governed by the alliance. Claiming Modi's popularity remains unmatched globally, Fadnavis said international rating agencies consistently rank him as the world's most popular leader, maintaining his approval ratings at around 75%. The CM said 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty and food security provided to 80 crore citizens. He also highlighted welfare measures such as PM-Kisan, Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, and the Lakhpati Didi scheme.
