'Allow me to step down from Deputy CM's post': Devendra Fadnavis

In a strong statement, Maharashtra Deputy chief minister has urged the party to allow him to step down from the post of the deputy chief minister. The BJP leader added that he wants to focus on party work, i.e. helping  workers to strengthen the party in the state.

This move comes in the wake of the party's disappointing performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP's tally in Maharashtra dropped drastically from 23 seats in 2019 to just nine this year.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the Lok Sabha poll outcome in Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis said, "I take the responsibility for such results in Maharashtra. I was leading the party. I am requesting the BJP high command to relieve me from the responsibility of the government so that I can work hard for the party in upcoming elections."

“I want to work at the organisational level to improve the performance of the party in the ensuing Assembly elections. I want to devote my full time to strengthening the organisation. I am going to request my central leadership to free me from the responsibility of the post in the state government,” reiterated Fadnavis addressing the press.

In the previous Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had won 23 seats in Maharashtra. This time, however, the party's performance was overshadowed by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

The MVA collectively won 30 seats, marking a substantial gain for the alliance. Congress saw a remarkable increase, winning 13 seats compared to just one in 2019. Shiv Sena (UBT) secured nine seats, while NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) secured eight.