Devendra Fadnavis: The 'Man of the Match' as BJP Sweeps Maharashtra Local Body Elections

This special report highlights the political resurgence of Devendra Fadnavis following the Mahayuti alliance's decisive victory in the Maharashtra civic body polls. Described as the 'man of the match' and 'man of the series,' Fadnavis successfully led the campaign to end the Thackeray family's three-decade-long control over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The report notes that Fadnavis 'perfected a winning formula, a mix of Hindutva and Vikas,' effectively consolidating various castes and overcoming regional identity politics. After a setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Fadnavis conducted 37 rallies across the state to secure this comeback. The programme traces his journey from a young councillor to his current standing as the Chief Minister and the dominant political force in India's second-largest state, having successfully navigated the challenges of coalition politics and internal leadership dynamics.