Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 25: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday threw his full support behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying age is "just a number" and that Modi should continue to lead the BJP in the coming elections, praising his leadership and the nation’s progress under his tenure.

Speaking today, Fadnavis dismissed speculation about the BJP's next national president. "In our party, roles are assigned by the leadership — not self-decided. Right now, I know I am here in Maharashtra for five years. The party will resolve the issue of national leadership. As for the rest, it’s just noise in the media,” he said, adding that he isn’t part of the parliamentary board, which makes such decisions.

He also addressed his relationship with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying: “It’s not about who is close to the RSS chief. Every swayamsevak shares that bond. Yes, I am from Nagpur and have known the RSS chief since childhood. Nitin Gadkari ji and I were both leaders and swayamsevaks in Nagpur.”

Jabs at Rahul Gandhi and Gen Z Appeal

Fadnavis sharply criticized Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's recent call for Gen Z Indians to “protect democracy” by drawing inspiration from Nepal’s youth-led protests. “Whoever loves Nepal can stay there,” he said, mocking the comparison. “Young Indians aren’t interested in street protests. They’re working in startups, AI, engineering, and biotech. Rahul Gandhi is alone in his crusade — Gen Z won’t follow him.”

While acknowledging historical ties with Nepal, Fadnavis insisted that India has taken a different path, becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy. “Our youth have taken over the world,” he said.

On Maratha Quota and Community Support

Commenting on the recent pro-Maratha reservation protests led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil, the Chief Minister said the agitation had concluded but emphasized that community concerns continue. “We are committed to supporting the Maratha community,” he said.

Regarding posters and ads celebrating his role in resolving the crisis — many of which referred to him as Devabhau — Fadnavis said, “Those were put up by the party, not by me. They’re a statement of what we’ve delivered without hurting anyone else’s rights.”

He addressed the broader issue of caste-based reservation, noting, “This isn’t a new problem; it’s been around for 40 years. Aspirations are not bad — but balance is key. If someone has a good income, they may not need reservation benefits.” He also revealed that a committee is working on introducing a ‘creamy layer’ within the Scheduled Castes, in line with a recent Supreme Court verdict, and its recommendations will soon be made public.

Strong Signal of Mahayuti Unity

Fadnavis reaffirmed the stability of Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti coalition. “I’ll be here for five years, and so will Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. We’ll contest 2029 together,” he asserted.

Responding to speculation about future leadership ambitions within the alliance, he said, “Everyone has aspirations, but we respect boundaries. There’s no issue between us. And yes, one day, Shinde or Ajit Pawar could become Chief Minister — that’s up to the party.”

Targeting the Opposition and the 'Samvidhan' Narrative

Fadnavis accused the INDIA bloc of being influenced by what he called “urban Naxal-type” organisations, blaming them for spreading the false narrative of a "change in Constitution" during the Lok Sabha polls. “That message caught on, and we couldn’t counter it effectively then. But in the Vidhan Sabha elections, we’ve regained our momentum,” he claimed.

In conclusion, the Maharashtra CM presented a confident front for the BJP and its allies, defended the government's position on key social and political issues, and emphasized unity and leadership clarity going into future elections.