Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Forecasts Landslide Victory for Mahayuti in Nagpur Civic Polls
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a bold prediction on Tuesday. He expressed unwavering confidence in a sweeping victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections. Fadnavis did not stop there. He also asserted that the alliance would secure the mayor's position in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Campaign Culmination and Voter Appeal
Fadnavis addressed the media during the final day of campaigning. He spoke on the sidelines of a large bike rally. The Chief Minister framed the civic contest as a crucial referendum. He urged voters to evaluate the ruling alliance based on its tangible performance at the state level. He asked them to look beyond mere campaign promises.
"Seeing the people who joined this road show, our confidence has only grown," Fadnavis stated. "The BJP-Mahayuti flag will fly over the NMC. We will break all records when results are announced on January 16."
Confidence Rooted in Track Record
The Chief Minister linked this confidence to a legacy of governance. He pointed to the BJP's fifteen-year rule in the NMC. He highlighted his own tenures as Chief Minister. Fadnavis also credited Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who is the Nagpur MP. He claimed these combined leadership phases fundamentally reshaped Nagpur.
Fadnavis cited specific achievements:
- Substantial infrastructure expansion across the city.
- Marked improvements in water management systems.
- The execution of several large-scale urban development projects.
He described this as sustained, results-driven governance. In contrast, he launched a sharp attack on the opposition. "The opposition never delivered development," Fadnavis said. "They only make tall claims."
Ambitions and Historical Context
The BJP's city unit, led by president Dayashankar Tiwari, has publicly set an ambitious target. They aim to cross the 120-seat mark in the 151-seat NMC. This goal surpasses their 2017 performance, where they won 108 seats.
Fadnavis, who represents the Nagpur Southwest Assembly constituency, emphasized broader themes. His final appeal to voters focused on core issues:
- Creating better livelihoods for common citizens.
- Ensuring improved education opportunities.
- Generating more employment for the youth.
He called for another mandate to continue this work.
Nagpur as a Prestige Battleground
Political observers note that Nagpur holds immense symbolic importance for the BJP. The city is a long-standing party stronghold. It is also the home turf of several top leaders. The presence of figures like Fadnavis, Gadkari, and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule elevates the contest.
The concluding bike rally was designed to showcase momentum and grassroots connection. Senior leaders joined Fadnavis for this final roadshow. The list included:
- Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
- Legislators Pravin Datke, Krupal Tumane, Ashish Deshmukh, and Parinay Fuke.
- Former MLC Girish Vyas.
- City BJP president Dayashankar Tiwari.
The event marked the end of intensive citywide canvassing. All campaigning has now ceased ahead of polling. The stage is set for a high-stakes electoral battle in Nagpur.
