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By:

Devendra Fadnavis

9 June 2026 at 5:42:34 pm

Trust, Development and India’s Rise

The story of India’s rise in the last decade has been marked by economic reform, infrastructure expansion and renewed national confidence When a public journey completes twelve years, it is often seen as a significant milestone marked by perseverance, dedication and an unwavering commitment to a larger goal. Therefore, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes twelve years of leadership, this period must be assessed through the lens of sustained effort, transformative governance and...

Trust, Development and India’s Rise

The story of India’s rise in the last decade has been marked by economic reform, infrastructure expansion and renewed national confidence When a public journey completes twelve years, it is often seen as a significant milestone marked by perseverance, dedication and an unwavering commitment to a larger goal. Therefore, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes twelve years of leadership, this period must be assessed through the lens of sustained effort, transformative governance and measurable outcomes. Viewed from this perspective, these years represent a remarkable era of service, commitment and good governance. Every enduring journey has two dimensions. When it is undertaken for the welfare of society, its benefits ultimately reach society itself and positively impact diverse sections of the population. The outcomes of Prime Minister Modi’s efforts are visible in the unprecedented transformation witnessed in the lives of ordinary citizens. From 2014 to 2026, his twelve-year tenure has emerged as a defining phase in India's contemporary history. It has not merely been a period of political leadership, but a unique confluence of trust, development, good governance, cultural resurgence and public welfare. Global Leader Today marks another significant milestone. As an elected Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has completed 4,399 consecutive days in office, surpassing the record set by Jawaharlal Nehru. Some may argue that comparisons between Nehru and Modi are inappropriate. However, when Nehru assumed office, there was a widespread perception that he had no political alternative. By contrast, when Modi became Prime Minister, Indian democracy had matured considerably. Citizens understood both the power and significance of their vote. They were aware of their aspirations and expectations, and recognised that governments exist to serve public welfare. It was under these circumstances that Modi assumed office in 2014. The electorate entrusted him with responsibilities that successive Congress governments had failed to fulfil over five decades. Accepting that challenge, he articulated the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” which later evolved into “Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” After securing victories in 2014, 2019 and 2024, he today stands at the forefront of India’s emergence as a global leader. The mandate of 2024, following the decisive verdicts of 2014 and 2019, was not merely an electoral victory. It represented a renewed endorsement of development, good governance and stable leadership. Modi became the first leader since 1962 to serve a third consecutive term as Prime Minister. At a time when many democracies across the world are grappling with political instability, India chose continuity, stability and decisive governance. Over the past decade, the country has strengthened its position through economic reforms, social transformation, infrastructure development, national security and an assertive foreign policy. The more than twenty-four highest civilian honours conferred upon him by nations around the world reflect this growing global recognition. This has not been the journey of a single leader alone; it has been a collective national endeavour. As a result, India’s economy has expanded from approximately $2 trillion to $4.18 trillion, making it the world’s fourth-largest economy. Economic prosperity is indispensable for achieving social justice. Modi not only recognised this reality but also worked consistently to realise it. Initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat instilled confidence among Indians and enhanced global trust in Indian products. Today, demand for indigenous defence equipment has risen so sharply that projected production for the next decade may struggle to meet requirements. This reflects the true strength of a self-reliant India. Historic Achievements One of the government’s historic achievements has been the substantial reduction of Left-Wing Extremism across twelve affected states. Regions that remained untouched by development for decades are now witnessing tangible progress. Nearly 20 crore people had long lived under the shadow of fear and deprivation. Naxalism stalled development and adversely affected thousands of young lives. Today, the situation is changing. Industrial projects, including steel plants, are being established in areas such as Gadchiroli. Universities, medical colleges and major educational institutions are being set up. The voice of development is gradually replacing the sound of conflict. Over the last twelve years, India has witnessed unprecedented growth in infrastructure development. The national highway network has expanded from approximately 91,000 kilometres to nearly 1.46 lakh kilometres. Highways are being constructed at an average pace of 34 kilometres per day. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, millions of kilometres of rural roads have transformed the lives of farmers, students and rural communities. Railway electrification has accelerated significantly, while initiatives such as Vande Bharat Express and the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme have redefined the image of Indian Railways. The country’s metro network has grown from 248 kilometres to more than 1,095 kilometres. The Modi government has placed the farmer at the centre of the development agenda. Through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, direct financial assistance has been extended to more than 11 crore farmers. Significantly, the first file cleared during the government’s third term pertained to farmer welfare, underscoring this priority. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, the “Per Drop More Crop” initiative has brought millions of hectares under micro-irrigation. Agricultural output has reached record levels, and India has emerged as the world’s largest producer of milk. Through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, free food grains have been provided to 81 crore citizens. More than four crore families have received permanent homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The Ujjwala scheme has enabled over eleven crore women to access LPG connections. Under Ayushman Bharat, millions of citizens have benefited from free health insurance coverage. The Jal Jeevan Mission has ensured access to clean drinking water for more than sixteen crore households. Women’s empowerment has occupied a central place in government policy. Women account for a significant share of Jan Dhan account holders. The Lakhpati Didi initiative has helped millions of women achieve greater economic independence. Programmes such as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, maternity benefits, the strengthening of self-help groups and the growing participation of women in the armed forces have advanced the vision of women-led development. Digital Transformation India has also scripted a new chapter in digital transformation. Through the JAM trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile—lakhs of crores of rupees have been transferred directly to beneficiaries. India has emerged as a global leader in UPI transactions. BharatNet has connected lakhs of gram panchayats through optical fibre networks. Digital governance, faceless taxation and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) have enhanced transparency and efficiency in public administration. India today engages with the world on the basis of equality and mutual respect. The nation seeks trade, investment and technology, but without compromising its dignity or self-respect. During the Russia–Ukraine conflict, India demonstrated its ability to pursue an independent foreign policy, placing national interests above external pressures. Today, India is the world’s fourth-largest economy. Initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme have accelerated manufacturing growth. India has become the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. Electronics production has increased manifold. Significant investments have been attracted for semiconductor manufacturing, and the country is rapidly positioning itself as a global manufacturing hub. Encouraged by policy support, India’s startup ecosystem has grown to more than two lakh startups and hundreds of unicorns. During these twelve years, India has also reaffirmed its cultural identity with renewed confidence. The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok and the redevelopment of Kedarnath have infused new energy into the nation’s spiritual consciousness. Modi, who began his public life by paying homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has also advanced initiatives such as the Panchteerth dedicated to Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the observance of Birsa Munda Jayanti as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the Statue of Unity honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, commemorative initiatives for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Kartavya Path and the new Parliament building—each symbolising national pride and identity. Maharashtra has been among the principal beneficiaries of this development trajectory. Prime Minister Modi has extended support to the state in addressing its major developmental needs and challenges. From facilitating land for the Indu Mill Memorial to supporting projects such as the Amravati Textile Park, Vadhvan Port, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Atal Setu, the Coastal Road and metro rail networks, his backing has been instrumental in advancing key infrastructure initiatives. Today, the world no longer views India merely as a large market. It increasingly recognises India as a reliable, responsible nation capable of contributing solutions to global challenges. India stands confidently on the world stage. These twelve years have laid a strong foundation for the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The journey of trust, development and people’s participation is poised to gather even greater momentum in the years ahead—a belief shared by millions of Indians. (The writer is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.)

Maharashtra Mandate: It is MVA’s defeat more than Mahayuti’s victory

Updated: Dec 2, 2024

Maharashtra Mandate

BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance aka Mahayuti bagged a whopping 232 out of a total 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra in recently concluded assembly election. While this certainly is a vote in favour of the Eknath Shinde government, though some other factors like consolidation of Hindu votes, have led to this massive victory, one needs to take a closer look whether this is really the victory of the Mahayuti or is a defeat of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi aka MVA?


On the voting day, initially it appeared as if there would be a tough contest between the two alliances. However, as the voting percentage grew towards the end of the polling day, it became clear that the people have voted decisively. An attempt to gather the reasons why there was a landslide victory in favour of the Mahayuti leads us to following reasons.


Firstly, “defeat Modi” was the single point agenda during the Lok Sabha polls. However, the MVA failed to come to such a single point agenda during assembly polls. Congress leader from Mumbai Bhai Jagtap said that the three alliance partners in MVA were contesting as individual entities while the Mahayuti was able to pose a united face. Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar appeared to be more concerned about defeating the breakaway groups while Congress treated the assembly elections as the next act of Lok Sabha polls and Rahul Gandhi continued speaking about Constitution leaving aside other issues.


Another key factor was the MVA’s inability to elevate the ‘pride of Maharashtra’ narrative into a unifying campaign agenda. Instead, the alliance leaned on Uddhav Thackeray’s poorly conceived Gujarat-versus-Maharashtra rhetoric, which came across as both emotive and clumsy. This lack of focus and coherence ultimately underscored their failure to galvanize voters. The overall callousness also reflected in the MVA manifesto and it appeared more like a cheap second copy of the Mahayuti manifesto.


The MVA’s failure to spotlight pressing issues such as soybean and cotton prices proved costly. Addressing these concerns could have cornered the Mahayuti, yet the alliance squandered an opportunity to channel the frustration of farmers, particularly in Vidarbha and Marathwada—regions that could have shaped the election narrative in its favour. This oversight left space for activist Manoj Jarange-Patil’s Maratha agitation to dominate the discourse, shifting the focus to caste and religion. In the run-up to the election, however, Jarange-Patil’s erratic positions (like his decision not to field candidates after threatening to do so) eroded the MVA’s credibility and compounded its electoral missteps.


The Mukhya Mantri Ladki Bahin Yojana (MMLBY) attracted the masses. The MVA had to go back on its initial criticism of the scheme. The scheme also helped the women to come forward and vote for the MVA beyond restrictions, if any, inflicted on them by the caste, religion or community.

On the other side, the Mahayuti was firmly united and aggressive. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar clearly and cleverly refuted the ‘gaddar’ (traitor) tag assigned to them by the MVA constituents. In addition, people accepted Shinde as real Shiv Sena because unlike Thackeray, who never really tried to refute charges of inaction and complacency against him, Shinde actively refuted charges against him.


After its abysmal Lok Sabha performance, the BJP led by Fadnavis showed steely resolve, contesting the polls with its trademark aggression with its leaders setting the agenda that the MVA was compelled to follow. There were issues like the Badlapur case and the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue that the MVA ought to have made capital of. However, the opposition failed to hold on to them while the Mahayuti cleverly built its arguments to make people forget these issues.


The MVA also failed to instil confidence among its voters that it shall provide a stable government in the state. This led to its complete rout in 11 of the 36 districts of Maharashtra.


Several factors explain the MVA’s defeat. After their earlier success in the Lok Sabha elections, the alliance appeared complacent, assuming the mandate would carry over to the assembly polls without significant effort. In contrast, the BJP, shaken by its Lok Sabha setback, mobilized swiftly, reaching out to diverse constituencies, addressing grievances, and steering voters towards the Mahayuti. The MVA made no comparable effort; Congress leaders continued their reliance on their ‘Save the Constitution’ rhetoric—a strategy effectively neutralized by the Mahayuti in the months following the Lok Sabha elections.


The fiery war of words between Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut and MPCC president Nana Patole only deepened voter disillusionment with the MVA. After five years of political turbulence, Maharashtra’s electorate craved stability and economic revival - neither of which the fractious alliance seemed poised to deliver. These public spats left little doubt that the MVA was ill-equipped to govern cohesively. Had it avoided such self-inflicted wounds, its tally might have looked more respectable. Ultimately, this was less a triumph for the Mahayuti than a damning verdict on the MVA’s dysfunction.

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