Yes, I was back after 2.5 years, but I caused 2 parties to split: Devendra Fadnavis

Recalling his remark which had stuck like a tagline, he said, “When I said I will return, it was keeping in mind the development of the state. But only part of the statement was picked.”

Today, CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, leaders of Sena and NCP, are part of the BJP government in the state.

What if Congress was not there? Speaking candidly about the title of the book, Fadnavis said, “There would be no partition in India.” The developments we have seen in the last ten years under PM Narendra Modi government would have been executed much earlier. We would not have had to face terrorism. The nation would have established its cultural identity by now. More Importantly, the people and the nation would have benefited from the growth and development.

The Modi leadership has broken the back of dynasty politics. In Congress, everything veers around one family, Nehru-Indira-Sonia- Rahul. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had no liberty to take independent decisions. He had to get a nod from Sonia. Even now, Mallikarjun Kharge, despite being party president, has to consult Sonia and Rahul for consent for every decision and move.

In Maharashtra, Congress ruled for the longest period. While some leaders ushered in development, most of them misused public funds to serve vested interests. Moreover, power was always relegated to 40–50 families.

Fadnavis also said that NCP split because Sharad Pawar chose his daughter Supriya Sule as his political heir. He preferred his daughter to others, which did not go down well with several leaders resulting gin Ajit Pawar and others walking out.

The Sena split because Uddhav wanted to make his son Aditya Thackeray the CM. In Maha Vikas Aghadi, he wanted to hand the MVA reins to his son mid-way, antagonising his own party leaders and the allies, Fadnavis said.

While BJP is not against family members joining politics, the party believes tickets and posts must be given on merit.

During the Congress regime, there was a time when it was perceived that the CM was controlled by the underworld. The nexus between politicians and criminals was considered acceptable.

BJP, however, has never compromised on ethics to retain political power. In 2019, despite having the highest number of seats, BJP sat in the Opposition due to the alliance partner Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray joined hands with Congress and NCP to form a government. Thackeray compromised the ideology for the CM’s chair.