'Your minister, my bureaucrat': How Devendra Fadnavis' old style of governance is making alliance partners uncomfortable

From Devendra Fadnavis' first term as CM, it became clear that he wanted to run the administration along the lines of Narendra Modi’s governance

The appointment of bureaucrats for key departments is a tricky issue in a coalition government. Every constituent party of the incumbent alliance wants its favorite officials to function in the portfolios allotted to them.

One of the reasons for discord within the Mahayuti government is the "your minister, my bureaucrat" model adopted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Ironically, the same model was a bone of contention between the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena during Fadnavis' first tenure as CM (2014-19). As per the rules, CM has the final word over bureaucratic appointments and transfers.

From Fadnavis' first term as CM, it became clear that he wanted to run the administration along the lines of Narendra Modi’s governance when he was CM of Gujarat. Modi exerted direct control over the bureaucracy, which helped him evolve the touted "Gujarat Model" or "Modi Model" of governance. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has been attempting the same style, where officials are seen as more powerful than elected public representatives. However, such a model works when a single party is in government and power is centered around one person holding the CM's chair. In coalition politics, such a practice leads to conflicts, as is being witnessed in Maharashtra.

One of the several reasons for the breakup between the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019 was Fadnavis' excessive control over the bureaucracy. He appointed his handpicked bureaucrats in departments headed by Shiv Sena ministers. An IPS officer enjoying close proximity to him was made Director General of Information and Publicity—a post generally held by an IAS officer. The said officer had the authority to issue government advertisements to media organizations. It was mandated that any government press note, irrespective of the department, should be routed through him.

Shiv Sena ministers complained that bureaucrats did not take them seriously. During off-the-record briefings with journalists, they alleged that officials avoided attending meetings called by them, citing busy schedules. Only Eknath Shinde and Ravindra Waikar were the two Sena ministers who were obeyed.

It has been observed that Fadnavis has adopted the same style of functioning in his present term. Earlier this month, he appointed Sanjay Sethi, an IAS officer of the 1992 batch, as the head of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). This was unprecedented, as the post was always held by a minister or an elected representative. The transport portfolio is with the Shiv Sena in the present government. It is said that Fadnavis appointed his handpicked officer to curb corruption and address the financial losses the department has been incurring.

In his previous tenure as Home Minister, Fadnavis approved the creation of a new post, "Special Commissioner," in the Mumbai Police hierarchy. A trusted IPS officer of Fadnavis, reputed for his policing skills, was appointed to the position. The present DGP of Maharashtra, who was earlier embroiled in a phone-tapping controversy, is also among Fadnavis' trusted IPS officers.

Not only the appointments of IAS and IPS officers but also those of lower-level personnel, such as Personal Assistants (PAs) of ministers or Officers on Special Duty (OSDs), have created a flutter in political circles. These appointments are cleared by the CMO after background checks of the personnel. Only officials with a "clean background" are assigned to ministers and various government departments.

Sources close to Fadnavis say that he has envisioned a clean and efficient government and is not in a mood to bend before the dynamics of coalition politics. Whispers in Maharashtra’s political corridors suggest that Fadnavis is striving to follow Modi’s political trajectory and is, therefore, trying to set an example of governance in Maharashtra.