Fadnavis Rules Out Move To Delhi, Says He Will Remain In Maharashtra
Returning to Nagpur after his brief Delhi visit, Mr. Fadnavis rejected suggestions that he was shifting his base to the national capital
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday dismissed speculation about a possible move to national politics, asserting that he would continue to remain in Maharashtra. Mr. Fadnavis’s clarification came a day after his sudden visit to New Delhi triggered intense political speculation following the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Returning to Nagpur after his brief Delhi visit, Mr. Fadnavis rejected suggestions that he was shifting his base to the national capital.
According to sources, Mr. Fadnavis was summoned to New Delhi by Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday. They said the Chief Minister briefed Mr. Shah on the NEET paper leak case and the action taken by the Maharashtra government. The Centre is expected to make a statement in the Parliament on the case before introducing an amendment Bill to strengthen the law against examination paper leaks, the sources added.
The sources also said Mr. Fadnavis may have discussed the allocation of Cabinet portfolios among allies in the BJP-led Mahayuti government, including the NCP led by Sunetra Ajit Pawar and the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, with the BJP’s central leadership.
Mr. Fadnavis flew to New Delhi from Solapur at around 1.15 p.m. on Saturday and returned to Nagpur by 7.45 p.m. after meeting senior BJP leaders.
Asked about his Delhi visit, Mr. Fadnavis said, “Today, I am in Nagpur and will be going to Mumbai in the evening. I am in Maharashtra only.”
Mr. Fadnavis also said the Centre would introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026,in the Lok Sabha on Monday, describing it as a first-of-its-kind legislation in the country and the world.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s appointment as Education Minister was only temporary and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to entrust the portfolio to Mr. Fadnavis, whom he described as an educated leader with an RSS background.
“Pralhad Joshi is only a temporary education minister. He may be a good coal minister, but the government is searching for a permanent minister for the education department. I think Mr. Fadnavis can be the best education minister. As per our information, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made up his mind to appoint Mr. Fadnavis as the education minister. The dilemma is who will succeed him as Maharashtra’s next chief minister,” Mr. Raut said.
