Acknowledging that Hindutva played an important role in the assembly elections, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday attributed the Mahayuti’s victory to a massive public response that led to a counter-polarization against the MVA’s appeasement politics towards Muslims.
In an interview with ABPFadnavis said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan of ‘Ek Hain Toh Sekhar Hain’ captured the public’s imagination. It helped prevent polarization. It was part of the response.”
“Hinduism is inclusive and a way of life. It should not be viewed from a narrow perspective of rites. There may be differences in the method of worship. Hindutva is broad and accommodating,” Fadnavis said.
After the defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led Mahayuti campaign was characterized by staunch Hindutva, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chanting ‘batenga to katenge’ and Modi stressing the importance of ‘ek hain se sakhar hain’.
Besides Hindutva, there were other factors for the Mahayuti to win a large mandate, he said. “We managed to build a pro-incumbency factor through our governance in the last two-and-a-half years. We told the people about the development work done during our rule. theGirl Sister Scheme‘It was important to give us an edge with the support of women who constitute a large number of voters. There were schemes for farmers, youth, free education for girl students… all these struck a positive chord with people.”
According to Fadnavis, the opposition’s campaign in the Lok Sabha elections was ‘BJP Harao, Modi Hatao’. People rejected such politics and felt that they could not tolerate complacency. The Great Mandate was a response to the oppression of Hindus.”
“Modi has shown what Hindutva is all about by his behavior and politics. “Earlier, leaders were afraid to go to temples because they were afraid of the adverse impact on Muslim votes,” he said. “Development and Hindutva are two sides of the same coin. And that worked and helped Mahayuti,” Fadnavis said.
Dismissing fears of conflict within the alliance with two strong deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis said, “We will work as a team. Each of us will give our best. I am not here to prove myself as the best chief minister. My job is to serve the people of Maharashtra. Development Gotta get to the last mile and the last man.
He said that the expansion of the Council of Ministers will be decided before the winter session of the Parliament from November 16. He said that talks are being held between the leaders of the three parties and the process of cabinet expansion is progressing.
Comparing his 2014 and 2024 tenures, Fadnavis said, “I have changed for the better. There is a lot of maturity.” He also indicated that he would take the initiative to re-negotiate with party leaders, a process that has been stalled since 2019.