Devendra Fadnavis Becomes Maharashtra CM for the Third Time: A Look at His Journey and Legacy
Mumbai, December 5, 2024 – Devendra Fadnavis, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has taken oath as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister for the third time today at a grand ceremony in Azad Maidan. With this, he joins an elite club of leaders who have served multiple terms as CM in the state.
Fadnavis’s political journey has been nothing short of historic. First elected as Chief Minister in 2014, he made history as the first BJP CM of Maharashtra. He successfully completed a full five-year term, a feat achieved only by one other leader in the state’s history, Vasantrao Naik.
Fadnavis’s Second Term: The Shortest CM Tenure in Maharashtra
Fadnavis’s second term in 2019 was marked by high political drama. Amidst a power struggle, he took oath in a surprise dawn ceremony but resigned within three and a half days, making it the shortest tenure of any Chief Minister in Maharashtra’s history.
Now, with the support of over 130 MLAs, Fadnavis has been sworn in for a third time, solidifying his position as one of Maharashtra’s most significant political figures.
Multi-Term Chief Ministers in Maharashtra
Fadnavis becomes the seventh leader in Maharashtra’s history to hold the CM post for more than one term. However, the record for the most terms as Chief Minister is held by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar, who served as CM four times.
Two other leaders, Vasantrao Naik and Vasantdada Patil, also achieved the distinction of serving as CM for three terms. Leaders such as Shankarrao Chavan, Ashok Chavan, and Vilasrao Deshmukh have served two terms each.
Historical Context
Maharashtra’s political landscape has been shaped by leaders with varying lengths of service. While Fadnavis holds the record for the shortest tenure, Vasantrao Naik remains the longest-serving Chief Minister, having held office from 1963 to 1975.
In contrast, several leaders, including Yashwantrao Chavan, Sudhakarrao Naik, Manohar Joshi, Prithviraj Chavan, and Uddhav Thackeray, served as CM for just one term.
Legacy of Leadership
Fadnavis’s third term is expected to focus on stability and growth in Maharashtra, addressing key issues such as infrastructure, farmer welfare, and economic development. As he steps into the role again, all eyes are on his strategy to balance political alliances and deliver on public expectations.
