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The BJP was forced to withdraw a compilation of old videos released on its website after Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s remarks in it evoked sharp reactions in Maharashtra. In the video, Fadnavis is seen saying that he “shall be back”. Following the intense reaction to it, state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule was forced to clarify on Saturday that Eknath Shinde will remain the chief minister.
Bawankule said, “Nobody should misinterpret the old video clipping on Fadnavis. Shinde will continue as CM. The 2024 elections will be under his leadership.”
On Friday, the ruling The video on the party’s official website comes after Shinde and Fadnavis visited Delhi on Thursday. With the sword of disqualification hanging over his neck, Shinde’s continuation as chief minister is also uncertain, some fear.
Officially, the BJP has dismissed the theory of a change in chief ministership in Maharashtra.
Insiders indicated that the party did not expect such a reaction to the latest video. It had put up the old clipping of Fadnavis to pump up its cadres ahead of the 2024 polls and to drive home the point that the BJP is committed to serving the state and its people.
BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhyay said the video of Fadnavis was a “compilation of his speeches made during the Janadesh Yatra before the 2019 state Assembly polls.” Admitting that the video was posted by the BJP on its site, he said, “The video was meant for social media only. Even in the past, the BJP has put old video clips on its website/social media. The purpose is to reconnect as our workers draw great inspiration from the leadership’s statements.”
Upadhyay clarified that speculations about a change of guard were baseless. “Fadnavis himself has stated many times that Eknath Shinde will continue as CM. The 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be contested under Shinde’s leadership in Maharashtra,” he added.
The video has, however, given the Opposition a chance to attack the ruling combine. State Congress president Nana Patole said, “Anything can happen in a BJP-led coalition. The BJP always will strive to have its own candidate as CM. They had to settle for Shinde as they had no option.”
Fadnavis was the chief minister from 2014-2019. Ahead of the 2019 polls, he had made the remark, “I shall be back.” during a speech in the Legislative Assembly. The Opposition had at the time criticised Fadnavis for his overconfidence. Some even argued that it revealed his political arrogance.
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After the 2019 Assembly polls, the BJP emerged as the number one party, but its alliance partner Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, joined the Congress and NCP to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Uddhav Thackeray became the chief minister.
Fadnavis was forced to settle with the post of Opposition leader. For 2.5 years, the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP ridiculed him for his statement. In June 2021, the BJP returned to power along with the breakaway Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena and Fadnavis became the Deputy Chief Minister.
With the 2024 polls around, Fadnavis’s renewed assertion through old clippings has once again set tongues wagging.
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