Fadnavis rules out leadership change, says Shinde will continue to lead Maharashtra

Mumbai: A day after Maharashtra BJP posted his video saying "Mi Punha Yein" (I shall be back), deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday made it clear that chief minister Eknath Shinde will complete his full term. State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that the old video was posted by an enthusiastic BJP worker and nothing more should be read in it.

Before the Maharashtra assembly elections in 2019, Fadnavis, who was then the chief minister, had said, "Mi punha yein", though his claim remained unfulfilled as Uddhav Thackeray formed the government with the help of Congress and NCP.

The same video was again posted on Maharashtra BJP's X handle on Friday, which sparked a major political controversy. The Opposition parties claimed that Mr. Shinde will be disqualified under the anti-defection law and Mr. Fadnavis will be made the CM.

However, Mr. Fadnavis dismissed the talks and said that Mr. Shinde will not be disqualified as he has done everything as per the law. "Nobody can come back by posting videos. We are very clear that Mr. Shinde will complete his term and the next election will be fought under his leadership," he said.

The BJP leader further said that even Ajit Pawar was given a complete idea that there will be no change in Maharashtra's leadership. Ajit Pawar was offered the DCM post and he also knows that Mr. Shinde will continue to be the CM, Mr. Fadnavis said.

Earlier, Mr. Bawankule claimed the video was posted by an "enthusiastic" party worker and no wrong interpretation should be drawn out of it. Mr. Bawankule also said that the upcoming Maharashtra elections would be fought under the leadership of Mr. Shinde.

Earlier on Saturday, NCP president Sharad Pawar, commenting on the Fadnavis video said, "BJP with 105 MLAs is the largest party. Had I been in place of Mr. Fadnavis, I would have formed a new government with such a mandate."