Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis on Monday expressed confidence that the Mahayuti Government will return to power in the state after the upcoming Assembly Elections, that too with a full majority. The alliance consists of BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde), NCP (Ajit Pawar) and RPI.
Speaking at the ‘Maharashtra me Hatrick Lagegi’ session of the TV9 Satta Sammelan in Mumbai, Fadnavis also said that becoming chief Minister of the state was not his priority as he held the post for nearly five years. He added that the development of the state is the only priority that he has in mind.
No decline in BJP’s popularity in Maharashtra: Devendra Fadnavis
Pointing out that there was no decline in popularity of the BJP during the Lok Sabha polls, the state’s Deputy Chief Minister said that some fake narratives were being spread at the time of elections which could not be countered. Claiming that there was polarization of votes, he added, “There was polarisation of votes as also vote jihad targeting a particular community. However, the people soon realized the fake narrative. They realised neither the constitution would be changed, nor reservations would be removed.
Talking about Madrassas in the state, the Deputy Chief Minister also said that not all but some Madrassas do provide Jihadi education to children, “There should not be any education based on religion, but of Maths and Sciences. There are some Madrassas that encourage anti-national activities in the state. The state government took steps to stop them. We are not against any religion. But there should not be any Jihadi activity in the name of education. Some Madrassas which encourage such activities must not get government funds.”
‘India remains secular because of Hindus’
“The word Hindu has nothing to do with Jihad. Hindu means tolerance. If Hindus would have done any kind of discrimination, India would have been a different country today. But India is secular because of Hindus only.,” he added. Talking about the Centre’s building of homes for everyone irrespective of religion, Fadnavis further noted that the BJP doesn’t see minorities as votebanks, “The BJP believes in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. We don’t believe in appeasement. When asked whether there are chances that he be shifted to Delhi, the BJP leader said, “ I will do whatever the party asks me to. Will stay in Mumbai if the party asks me to. Will shift to Delhi of the party ask me to.”
