Early Life and Education
Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis was born on July 22, 1970, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, into a politically active family. His father, Gangadhar Fadnavis, was a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council and associated with the Jan Sangh, while his mother, Sarita Fadnavis, was a former director of the Vidarbha Housing Credit Society. Fadnavis completed his schooling at Saraswati Vidyalaya in Nagpur and later graduated with a law degree from Government Law College, Nagpur University. He also holds a post-graduate degree in Business Management and a diploma in Methods and Techniques of Project Management from DSE-German Foundation for International Development, Berlin, Germany.
Political Career
Fadnavis began his political journey with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the BJP. At the age of 22, he became a Corporator in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and, at 27, the youngest mayor of Nagpur, making him the second-youngest mayor in India’s history. He has represented the Nagpur South West constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly since 2009 and Nagpur West from 1999 to 2009.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra (2014-2019)
Fadnavis served as the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra from October 31, 2014, to November 12, 2019. His tenure was marked by several significant achievements:
- Infrastructure Development: Initiated major projects like the Mumbai Metro, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, and the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway.
- Economic Initiatives: Attracted investments worth ₹15 lakh crores during the Make in India week and improved Maharashtra’s ranking in Ease of Doing Business.
- Social Welfare: Implemented the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan to make Maharashtra drought-free, benefiting over 10,000 villages.
- Urban Development: Launched projects like the Coastal Road and made Mumbai a WiFi city with over 1,200 hotspots.
Deputy Chief Minister and Recent Developments
After the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Fadnavis served as the Leader of the Opposition until June 2022, when he was appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the Eknath Shinde-led government. This appointment followed a political crisis that saw the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
Challenges and Resilience
Despite facing setbacks, including the BJP’s poor performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, Fadnavis has shown resilience. He took responsibility for the party’s performance and offered to resign from his ministerial duties to focus on strengthening the party for the upcoming state assembly elections. His leadership has been crucial in navigating the complex political landscape of Maharashtra, maintaining alliances, and addressing key voter concerns.
Vision and Leadership
Fadnavis is known for his strong leadership, effective governance, and commitment to development. His vision for Maharashtra includes:
- Economic Growth: Aiming to make Maharashtra a $1 trillion economy by boosting manufacturing and attracting foreign investment.
- Social Justice: Addressing issues like Maratha reservation and improving the welfare of farmers through loan waivers and insurance schemes.
- Infrastructure: Continuing to develop key infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity and economic development.
Personal Life
Fadnavis is married to Amruta Ranade, a banker and social worker, and they have a daughter named Divija. He is known for his disciplined lifestyle, influenced by his RSS background, and enjoys writing, reading, and watching movies in his leisure time.Devendra Fadnavis remains a pivotal figure in Maharashtra’s politics, known for his administrative skills, strategic acumen, and dedication to the state’s development. His journey from a young corporator to a key player in the BJP highlights his significant contributions and enduring influence in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
