Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis delivered a sharp retort on Thursday to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray's recent description of him as an "outsider" to Mumbai. Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Fadnavis shifted the focus from identity politics to development achievements, crediting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for Mumbai's progress and showcasing Nagpur as a national model for urban innovation.
A Rebuttal Rooted in Development Credentials
Fadnavis directly addressed Thackeray's comment, which questioned his connection to Mumbai. "I am a Nagpurkar at heart," Fadnavis stated, asserting his regional identity. He then turned the critique on its head by questioning the contributions of those born and raised in Mumbai. "But there are people who are born in Mumbai and are growing old in the same city, who could not do much for it," he remarked.
He outlined a clear narrative of development leadership. "When we speak about the development in Mumbai, the first name that stands out is that of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari," Fadnavis declared. He added that the subsequent "360-degree development of the city was done by me and Eknath Shinde under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi." This framing positioned the administration's work above parochial identity debates.
Nagpur: Showcasing a Blueprint for Urban India
Using Nagpur as his stage, the Chief Minister elaborated on the city's groundbreaking projects that have set benchmarks for the entire country. He highlighted Nagpur's pioneering role in sustainable resource management. "Nagpur has led its way in creating some models," Fadnavis said. "Specifically, if we look at the process of sewage water treatment in Nagpur, it has emerged as the first city that treated its sewage water and sold that water for power generation. And it became the first city to earn money from it."
He further listed Nagpur's transformation into a city with robust infrastructure. The 24/7 water supply scheme was cited as another successful model. Fadnavis painted a picture of a modern metropolis: "Today anyone who comes to Nagpur is astonished to see the infrastructure here. We have made concrete roads. There is no issue of potholes. A web of flyovers has been created."
The Engineering Marvel: A Symbol of Innovation
Fadnavis reserved special praise for a landmark project associated with Nitin Gadkari. "Especially under the leadership of Nitin Gadkari, we have created a double-decker bridge in which there is a road below, a flyover above it, and the Metro runs above that, and all of this is standing on a single pillar," he explained. He emphasized the national impact of this innovation, noting, "Now that model has been adopted by the entire country."
By detailing these tangible achievements, Fadnavis's speech served as a substantive counter-argument to the 'outsider' label, suggesting that effective governance and visionary projects transcend narrow geographical origins. The event underscored the ongoing political tensions in Maharashtra while highlighting the state's claims of urban development success.
