Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has strategically positioned urban development as the central theme of the Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign throughout Vidarbha region. During multiple rallies on Saturday, the CM asked voters to support the BJP based on what he described as a governance model built firmly on policy and developmental intent.
Five-Rally Blitz Across Vidarbha
Fadnavis addressed enthusiastic crowds in Gadchiroli, Bhadravati, Bhandara, Gondia, and Tumsar, presenting a comprehensive urban development vision. He argued that decades of imbalance between rural and urban-focused development policies have forced millions of residents into unplanned city settlements, resulting in severe consequences including water scarcity, disease outbreaks, and long-term infrastructure collapse.
Gadchiroli: Gateway to South India
At his inaugural rally in Gadchiroli, Fadnavis made significant announcements, declaring that the city would be developed as the gateway to South India. He revealed that work on a regional airport would commence within the next three to four months, marking a transformative infrastructure project for the region.
The Chief Minister projected Gadchiroli as an emerging economic hub, forecasting industrial investments worth nearly ₹3 lakh crore. He specifically promised that local residents would receive first preference in employment opportunities generated by these investments. Fadnavis also highlighted completed projects valued between ₹700-800 crore while assuring continued development that would preserve the district's natural ecosystem.
Welfare Schemes and Urban-Rural Divide
Fadnavis emphasized the continuity of key welfare initiatives, including the Ladki Bahin scheme and the ambitious program to create one crore Lakhpati Didis across Maharashtra. He assured voters these programs would continue without disruption under BJP leadership.
In Bhandara, the CM directly linked the proliferation of slums and encroachments to 65 years of inadequate urban policy. He explained the historical context: People from villages were moving to the cities and there was no place to live. Encroachments occurred. Slums were created. People settled wherever they could.
Fadnavis highlighted the stark urban-rural divide using compelling statistics: Nearly 6.5 crore people live in 40,000 villages, while the same 6.5 crore lives in just 400 cities like Bhandara. This comparison underscored his argument for prioritizing basic facilities and improving living standards in urban areas.
Development Promises Across Constituencies
In Bhadravati, which Fadnavis described as a meeting point of multiple cultures and religions, he sought voter support to ensure continuity of development works. The government plans to make the city water self-sufficient and address pending concerns of farmers affected by the Nippon Denro project. With clean-energy firms New Era Cleantech and Greeta Energy Ltd establishing operations, the CM projected fresh industrial inflow and job creation.
Later in Gondia, Fadnavis announced that land for an MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) would be allotted within one month of the elections. He also promised a new waste-processing plant that would eliminate the long-standing problem of foul odor plaguing the city.
Campaign Focus on Development, Not Criticism
Throughout all five rallies, Fadnavis maintained that the BJP campaign would avoid personal criticism and instead seek votes based on past performance and city-specific development blueprints. He asserted that the next five years will decide the future of every town in Vidarbha, positioning urban development as not just an election issue but a crucial determinant of regional prosperity.
The Chief Minister's coordinated campaign approach reflects a strategic emphasis on infrastructure, industrial growth, and urban planning as the BJP's primary selling points in the upcoming elections.
