‘I will remain in Maharashtra’: Fadnavis quashes buzz over joining Modi Cabinet

Key points

• Fadnavis's clarification came after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that he would shortly be shifted to Delhi and…
• The Maharashtra chief minister also met Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to discuss clearances required for various development projects in…
• Fadnavis made the remarks after gathering Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, where he discussed development projects in Maharashtra and…
• Addressing the speculation about his feasible induction into the Union Cabinet, Fadnavis said there was no truth to the reports.

MUMBAI: Amid speculation over a feasible Union Cabinet reshuffle, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday ruled out a move to the Centre, saying he would remain in Maharashtra and continue serving as the state’s chief minister.

Fadnavis made the remarks after gathering Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, where he discussed development projects in Maharashtra and sought the Centre’s assistance on projects requiring funding and approvals.

“Whenever I come to Delhi, such speculation starts, but there is no truth or fact in it. There are some people who have no work and indulge in such baseless speculation,” he stated.

What happened

“If these people are happy with such speculation, let them be happy. I am not worried about their kite flying, airing the balloon, or building a castle in the sky exercise. As I have been given this responsibility,” Fadnavis said, i just want to tell them that I am in Maharashtra and will remain in Maharashtra.

“I am honestly serving the people of Maharashtra and will continue to do so. There are some people who want that I should go to Delhi, but I will remain in Maharashtra,” he went on.

Fadnavis said Modi reviewed various development projects in Maharashtra during their gathering. He added that some of the projects required Central administration funding and permissions.

The Maharashtra chief minister also met Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to discuss clearances required for various development projects in the state.

The details

Fadnavis’s clarification came after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that he would shortly be shifted to Delhi and inducted into the Modi Cabinet. Raut had also maintained that BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule could replace Fadnavis as Maharashtra chief minister.

Raut further claimed that Modi was looking to change the composition of his Cabinet and induct more young faces against the backdrop of ongoing student protests.

The speculation comes as BJP national president Nitin Nabin announced the party’s new national team on Monday, with a number of organisational posts changing hands. The developments have also fuelled speculation concerning a possible Union Cabinet reshuffle.