'Not Going To Run Away, Have A Strategy In Mind': Devendra Fadnavis

Days after announcing his intention to resign, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has decided to remain in his position.

This decision comes following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, who asked him to continue working for the Maharashtra government.

During a BJP legislators' meeting on Friday (7 June), Fadnavis, the former Maharashtra chief minister, addressed the recent Lok Sabha election results and the party's future strategy.

He acknowledged the BJP's reduced seats in Maharashtra, down to nine from 23 in the 2019 general elections.

"I can see happiness on everyone's faces, PM Narendra Modi's name is ringing out across the world and, yesterday, the NDA agreed on his name as Prime Minister. Today's meeting was very important. We could not get as many seats as we wanted in Maharashtra this time, but we are planning our future strategy, beginning with this meeting," Fadnavis said.

Explaining his initial decision to resign, he stated, "I had led the BJP in this Lok Sabha election, so I said I am responsible for this defeat. I had asked to be allowed to leave my post so that I could work at the grassroots for the Vidhan Sabha elections. But the top leadership showed faith in me. Some people thought that I was disappointed, but I am not going to run away. Our inspiration is Chhatrapati Shivaji. I have not taken any emotional decision; I have a strategy in mind," NDTV reported.

Fadnavis met Home Minister Amit Shah after an NDA meeting where PM Narendra Modi was chosen as the leader of the alliance, paving the way for his third consecutive term as Prime Minister.

Shah asked Fadnavis to continue his role and prepare for the Maharashtra Assembly polls, expected to be held around October this year.

Speaking about his meeting with the Union Home Minister, the deputy chief minister said, "I met Amit Shah, I am not going to sit quietly for even a minute. Shah also had the same opinion."

Also Read: Maratha Reservation Activist Manoj Jarange Patil Begins Fast Unto Death, Says Will Contest Assembly Elections If Demand Not Met