Maharashtra has emerged the number one state in attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) beating Karnataka and Gujarat, said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the crucial finance portfolio. “I am extremely happy to announce that Maharashtra has become the number one state in attracting the highest FDI,” he said Monday. According to Fadnavis, “The DIPP report which was made public shows Maharashtra drawing maximum 29 per cent FDI. In comparison Karnataka has bagged 24 per cent and Gujarat 17 per cent.” Talking to media at his hometown Nagpur, Fadnavis said, “We were always optimistic about the leadership potential of Maharashtra when it came to investments, both domestic and FDI.” “Unfortunately, during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government which governed for 2.5 years, the state was found lagging behind because of lack of confidence among investors. There was a lack of leadership. The MVA regime was marred by corruption and blackmailing which dented the image of the state amongst investors both at home and abroad,” Fadnavis said. “Since our government was formed on June 30, I had promised to make Maharashtra the leader in the country. Our thrust on good governance has created conducive atmosphere which is integral for the investments in any state,” he added. While justifying healthy competition among states, Fadnavis said, “After all, Gujarat is not in Pakistan. But having said this I still believe Maharashtra was and will always remain the most favoured destination among investors.” Although the DIPP report has brought huge relief to state government, the Opposition has not lowered its guard against the Eknath Shinde-Fadnavis coalition. The MVA leaders are quick to point how the Vedanta-Foxconn project which promised Rs 1.50 lakh crore investments was forcibly relocated to Gujarat at the behest of the central BJP leadership, thus depriving Maharashtra of the mega project.
