Hindutva played key role in giving Mahayuti massive mandate: Fadnavis

“Hindutva is inclusive and is a way of life. It should not be perceived from the narrow perspective of rituals. There can be differences in methods of worship. Hindutva is expansive and accommodating,” Fadnavis said.

After the debacle in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led Mahayuti campaign was characterised by hard Hindutva with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath raising the slogan ‘Batenga to katenge’ and Modi underlining the importance of ‘Ek hain to safe hain’.

Along with Hindutva, there were other factors which also worked for the Mahayuti to win the massive mandate, he said. “We succeeded in building the pro-incumbency factor through our governance in the last two and a half years. We told people about the development work done during our regime. The ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana’ was instrumental in giving us an edge with support from women who constitute a sizeable number of voters. There were schemes for farmers, youths, free education for girl students… all these struck a positive chord with people.”

According to Fadnavis, “in the Lok Sabha polls the Opposition campaign was ‘BJP harao, Modi hatao’. People disapproved of such politics and realised they cannot afford complacency. The massive mandate was a reaction to the suppression of Hindus”.

“Modi, through his conduct and politics, has shown what is Hindutva. Earlier, leaders were scared of going to temples as they feared it would adversely affect their Muslim votes,” he said. “Development and Hindutva are two sides of the same coin. And it worked and helped the Mahayuti,” Fadnavis said.

While dismissing apprehensions over conflict within the coalition with two strong deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis said, “We will work as a team. Each of us will give our best. I am not here to prove myself as the best CM. My task is to serve the people of Maharashtra. Development should reach the last mile and last man.”

Regarding Cabinet expansion, he said it would be carried out before the winter session of the House from December 16. All three parties’ leaders are in talks and the process is underway on Cabinet expansion, he added.

Comparing his 2014 and 2024 tenure, Fadnavis said, “I have changed for the better. There is more maturity.” He also indicated that he would take the initiative to restart dialogue with leaders across parties, a process that has stopped since 2019.