Devendra Fadnavis, PM Modi's blue-eyed boy, has further consolidated his position in BJP following the
saffron
sweep in
Maharashtra. At a juncture when it appeared that BJP-Sena might not be able to repeat its 2014 feat in the state, the CM buckled up to ensure a repeat. The biggest challenge was to reach a truce with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, who was at loggerheads with the BJP leadership, particularly Modi and
Amit Shah.
Assembly Election Results
From Thackeray's pronouncements, it appeared that the over-three-decade-old saffron alliance was on the verge of collapse. Reeling from his acerbic attacks, Fadnavis approached Shah and requested him to soothe the Sena chief's ego by paying him a visit at his home, Matoshree. Shah obliged. Following a long meeting between him and Thackeray, the saffron parties declared they would contest the polls jointly. Fadnavis's idea worked.
Since taking over the state's reins in 2014, Fadnavis has personally monitored all political situations in Maharashtra, whether drought-related unrest or the Maratha reservation row. He has shown a remarkable aptitude for tiding over such crises.