Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday made a bold prediction, asserting that the ruling Mahayuti coalition is set to capture mayoral positions in a staggering 27 out of the state's 29 municipal corporations. He projected the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would emerge as the single largest party across all urban local bodies.
Development Over Allegations: The Winning Mantra
Addressing media on the sidelines of election rallies in Nagpur, Fadnavis framed the anticipated victory as a direct endorsement of the alliance's development-focused governance. He dismissed the Opposition's campaign rhetoric as electorally insignificant. "People do not vote on taunts or allegations. They vote on development," the Chief Minister stated, adding that the political landscape was "clearly in favour of Mahayuti."
He clarified that the mayors in these civic bodies could belong to any of the three Mahayuti constituents—the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, or the Ajit Pawar-headed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Dismissing Opposition Criticism as Irrelevant
Responding to recent criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray, Fadnavis brushed off their attacks. "I don't take them seriously. In 25 years, they did nothing and have nothing to show," he remarked, alluding to the period when the undivided Shiv Sena controlled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
The CM accused rival parties of peddling "rumours and repeated narratives" in the face of imminent electoral defeat. "They sense 100% defeat, and that is why such politics is being done," he claimed. He argued that attempts to label the ruling Sena faction as a "B team" had failed to sway voters in past assembly and local body elections, and the same result would be replicated in the municipal corporation polls.
Governance Record and a Message to Representatives
In his rallies and an interactive program in Nagpur, Fadnavis emphasised that the Mahayuti's track record of development works, infrastructure expansion, and civic improvements at both state and urban levels was shaping positive voter sentiment across Maharashtra's cities and towns.
He also delivered a pointed message to elected representatives, cautioning them against developing a sense of personal ownership over public life. He reminded them that true power stems from service, not entitlement.
In a personal anecdote, Fadnavis revealed his initial aspiration to become a barrister after law school. "I wanted to go abroad, become a barrister and practise law. But in my final year of LLB, I became a corporator, and that wish remained unfulfilled," he shared. He now views his role differently, seeing himself as "a lawyer for the people" in the legislative assembly.
