Days after Devendra Fadnavis expressed his intention to step down as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister following the BJP’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections, Home Minister Amit Shah rejected his offer.
This development comes amid reports that Fadnavis remains resolute in his decision.
Fadnavis met with Shah at his residence, where Shah urged him to continue his work in the Maharashtra government, according to NDTV sources.
Shah also asked Fadnavis to devise a plan for reviving the party in Maharashtra, where assembly elections are anticipated in October.
Reportedly, Shah told Fadnavis that his resignation would negatively impact the morale of BJP workers.
Of the 48 seats in Maharashtra, BJP candidates won only nine. In contrast, NDA alliance partners NCP (Ajit Pawar) and Shiv Sena (Shinde) secured one and seven seats, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Congress party emerged as the largest party with 13 seats, followed by Shiv Sena (UBT) with nine and NCP (SP) with eight.
At a press conference after the results, Fadnavis took responsibility for the outcome in Maharashtra. “I am requesting the party leadership to relieve me of my government responsibilities so that I can work full-time for the party in the upcoming assembly elections,” he said.
Fadnavis acknowledged his shortcomings and committed to addressing them.
Several BJP leaders have urged Fadnavis to reconsider his decision to quit.
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar stated that Fadnavis’s resignation offer was not discussed at the NDA meeting in Delhi, noting that it was an internal BJP matter and irrelevant to the NDA meeting.
