Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, at the Rising Bharat Summit on Wednesday, spoke about the political unpredictability of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar. “Sharad
Pawar is a tall leader. At times, people don’t know what he wants to do, but sometimes he also doesn’t know what he wants to do,” said Fadnavis. The CM’s remarks came amid intense speculation surrounding a potential political realignment and a rumoured merger between the two NCP factions, with reports suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership was holding direct talks with the opposition NCP (SP), led by Sharad Pawar. The speculation suggested that the NCP (SP) might join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre and the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, potentially securing two to three cabinet berths in the state government. Fadnavis had dismissed the speculation earlier too.
LIVE | News 18 Rising Bharat Summit 🕛 11.48am | 28-10-2026📍Mumbai. @CNNnews18 #Maharashtra #Mumbai #RisingBharatSummit https://t.co/yklWa0OmSr
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 28, 2026
ON COALITION GOVT & ‘99% CONSENSUS’
At the Rising Bharat Summit, Fadnavis also addressed the challenges associated with a coalition government. ““There are challenges in a coalition government; one has to learn the art of building consensus. I have been able to achieve consensus on 99% of things,” he said.
“We all want development for Maharashtra. We face some issues. We have given the Maratha quota, and a case is pending in the High Court (HC). We will be able to defend our stance in the HC. The case involving the Dhangar community is sub judice. We are trying to strike a balance within the confines of the Constitution. I am hopeful that the court will decide in our favour,” said Fadnavis.
CJP IS A MINDSET: DEVENDRA FADNAVIS
Fadnavis also spoke about the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). “CJP is a mindset. It’s not a challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but for the entire state. Our country is built on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s values. The CJP is bringing anarchy. CJP and Congress share the same mindset,” Fadnavis said.
“An ultra-leftist ideology is being promoted. They don’t talk about a change of government but about regime change, citing examples from Bangladesh and Nepal,” he added.
‘MAHARASHTRA ON TRACK TO BECOME TRILLION-DOLLAR ECONOMY BY 2030’
Fadnavis stated that Maharashtra is on track to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2030, a goal originally set in 2015. “In 2015, we had decided to make Maharashtra a $1 trillion economy, and the journey has been phenomenal. We are at $660 billion; we will achieve our target by 2030″, he said.
He expressed support for healthy competition among Indian states to attract investments, emphasising that growth across states drives overall national growth.
The CM highlighted key state initiatives like MAITRI and Invest Maharashtra to streamline business set-ups and facilitate industrial growth in the state.
