In an intense pre-election exchange, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took direct aim at Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar, branding him as the “owner of a fake narrative factory.” Speaking at an election rally in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Fadnavis accused the opposition of attempting to defame Maharashtra with false claims about industries relocating from the state, especially to Gujarat. Asserting that the state remains a leading choice for business, Fadnavis pointed out that Maharashtra continues to attract significant foreign investment, with a remarkable 52% of India’s foreign direct investment flowing into the state.
Campaigning in support of Mahayuti candidate Shankar Jagtap, Fadnavis accused opposition leaders of “misleading the public with baseless claims.” He emphasized that Maharashtra’s industrial foundation is solid and resilient, stating, “Our government has made Maharashtra an ideal destination for investment.” He dismissed the opposition’s claims of an industry exodus as misleading and said they were solely aimed at confusing voters.
Fadnavis did not spare NCP MP Supriya Sule either, dubbing her the “manager of the fake narrative factory” over her recent remarks on IT companies purportedly leaving the state’s IT hub, Hinjewadi, in Pune. Fadnavis countered her claims, assuring voters that Maharashtra’s IT sector remains robust despite the difficulties posed by the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government. “These statements are not just incorrect but damaging to the state’s progress,” he stated.
In his speech, Fadnavis also addressed Uddhav Thackeray’s criticism of the BJP’s “Ladki Behin Yojana,” which aims to provide educational and financial aid to girls across Maharashtra. He suggested that Thackeray’s stance, which he described as “opposition for opposition’s sake,” was detached from the actual needs of ordinary citizens.
Toward the rally’s close, Fadnavis highlighted the BJP government’s commitment to employment, pledging to create 10 lakh jobs and outlining a vision for economic revival that he said would benefit the youth of Maharashtra. He urged the public to be wary of “fake narratives” propagated by the opposition and to trust in the BJP’s transparent and development-oriented governance model.
In a final appeal, Fadnavis reiterated his confidence in the BJP’s industrial and economic policies, contrasting them sharply with what he described as the opposition’s “fabricated claims” designed to undermine Maharashtra’s growth.