From a young corporator in Nagpur to a potential third term as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis’ political journey has been marked by resilience, adaptability, and strategic acumen. As the youngest mayor of Nagpur at 27, he showed early promise, which he carried forward into state politics by winning his first assembly election in 1999. Over subsequent terms, he solidified his position, culminating in his historic 2014 ascent as Maharashtra’s first BJP Chief Minister.

Fadnavis, a rare Brahmin leader in a state dominated by Maratha politics, has deep roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His father, Gangadhar Fadnavis, was a BJP stalwart, but Devendra carved out his own identity. Known for his clean image and articulate demeanor, he gained national attention by exposing the Congress-NCP government's alleged irrigation scam and driving BJP's 2014 electoral success in Maharashtra, earning praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

His first tenure as CM was a mix of achievements and challenges. While he accelerated infrastructure projects and appealed to urban voters, issues like farmers’ protests over loan waivers and the Maratha reservation crisis tested his leadership. The dramatic 2019 post-election fallout, where Shiv Sena’s split led to Uddhav Thackeray’s CM stint, temporarily derailed Fadnavis. His brief second term as CM, in an alliance with NCP’s Ajit Pawar, lasted only three days.

Despite being appointed Deputy CM under Eknath Shinde in 2022, Fadnavis played a critical role in stabilizing the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) government. His adaptability and loyalty have kept him indispensable to BJP’s state and national strategies. With the latest assembly polls reaffirming BJP’s dominance, Fadnavis stands poised to reclaim Maharashtra’s top post, showcasing his enduring relevance in the state’s ever-shifting political landscape.

From a young corporator in Nagpur to a potential third term as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis’ political journey has been marked by resilience, adaptability, and strategic acumen. As the youngest mayor of Nagpur at 27, he showed early promise, which he carried forward into state politics by winning his first assembly election in 1999. Over subsequent terms, he solidified his position, culminating in his historic 2014 ascent as Maharashtra’s first BJP Chief Minister.

Fadnavis, a rare Brahmin leader in a state dominated by Maratha politics, has deep roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His father, Gangadhar Fadnavis, was a BJP stalwart, but Devendra carved out his own identity. Known for his clean image and articulate demeanor, he gained national attention by exposing the Congress-NCP government's alleged irrigation scam and driving BJP's 2014 electoral success in Maharashtra, earning praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

His first tenure as CM was a mix of achievements and challenges. While he accelerated infrastructure projects and appealed to urban voters, issues like farmers’ protests over loan waivers and the Maratha reservation crisis tested his leadership. The dramatic 2019 post-election fallout, where Shiv Sena’s split led to Uddhav Thackeray’s CM stint, temporarily derailed Fadnavis. His brief second term as CM, in an alliance with NCP’s Ajit Pawar, lasted only three days.

Despite being appointed Deputy CM under Eknath Shinde in 2022, Fadnavis played a critical role in stabilizing the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) government. His adaptability and loyalty have kept him indispensable to BJP’s state and national strategies. With the latest assembly polls reaffirming BJP’s dominance, Fadnavis stands poised to reclaim Maharashtra’s top post, showcasing his enduring relevance in the state’s ever-shifting political landscape.