Davos 2026: No rift with Eknath Shinde, mayor decision after return to Mumbai, says Devendra Fadnavis

CM Devendra Fadnavi in Davos

• Fadnavis denies any rift with Shiv Sena, says alliance is strong and united
• Decision on BMC mayor's post to be made after Fadnavis returns to Mumbai
• Maharashtra plans major urban infrastructure push, including tunnel networks

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Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis dismissed speculation of rift with Shiv Sena leader and deputy CM Eknath Shinde, saying the two allies are on the same page and a decision on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayor's post will be taken after he returns to Mumbai.

Speaking exclusively to Moneycontrol's Chandra R Srikanth on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Fadnavis said rumours of differences within the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance were unfounded.

Responding to Shiv Sena's reported demand for the BMC mayor's post for two-and-a-half years, Fadnavis said, "These are all rumours. We are good with each other and have absolutely no problems. We fought the election together, and once I go back to Mumbai, we will sit together and decide who will be the mayor and who will get which post. There is no conflict."

The remarks come amid speculation after 29 Shiv Sena corporators-elect were shifted to a Mumbai hotel following the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) alliance's narrow majority in the 227-member BMC, with buzz that Shinde wants the mayor's post for at least the first two-and-a-half years, coinciding with Bal Thackeray's birth centenary year.

Fadnavis also dismissed reports of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) offering outside support to the BJP. "These are all rumours. Our alliance with the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) is very strong. For the post of mayor or any small or big post, we are not going to fight. People have given us a mandate, and nobody would like us to fight over posts,” he said.

On the "triple-engine government" in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said it comes with added responsibility. "It is a triple engine, but I would say it is also triple the responsibility. When you get such a big mandate, it gives you a chance to be more responsible and responsive to the needs of the people. Now that the initial joy has settled, I can feel the responsibility," he said. BJP won 89 seats, while its ally Shiv Sena secured 29 seats, giving the Mahayuti alliance a narrow majority in the BMC.

Highlighting the government’s focus on infrastructure, Fadnavis said execution remains Maharashtra’s biggest strength. "If you look at the metro projects in Maharashtra, every single project has broken records. Whether it is Mumbai Metro, Pune Metro or Nagpur Metro, we have been among the fastest executors in India," he said.

He said the state's war-room approach and real-time project monitoring have helped speed up execution. "Bringing all stakeholders to one table has improved our pace, and now we are trying to increase our speed manifold," he added.

Fadnavis said the government is planning an aggressive urban infrastructure push, including tunnel networks in Mumbai and Pune to ease traffic congestion. He also reiterated the state’s ambition of developing a ‘third Mumbai’ in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

"Our engagement here in Davos will be very useful in attracting investments for the third Mumbai. We are looking at international funds to invest in this project," he said.