Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday (August 23, 2026) pitched his personal journey alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s as concrete proof of the strength of India’s democracy and its Constitution, which enable an ordinary person to reach the highest constitutional offices.

Interacting with young audiences during the “Manthan 4 Yuva” event in Nagpur, Mr. Fadnavis fielded questions on civic engagement and leadership, marking a major outreach effort at a time when political parties are intensifying efforts to reach Gen Z voters ahead of upcoming elections.

“It isn’t easy; our Constitution has given democracy in this country,” Mr. Fadnavis said during a Question and Answers session.

“The beauty of this democracy is that someone like Devendra Fadnavis, who might never even have imagined becoming a corporator, reached the post of Chief Minister, or the boy who sold tea at a railway station in Gujarat became the country’s Prime Minister.” Recalling his early days in public life, Mr. Fadnavis said that he entered politics driven solely by ideological conviction during a period when the party sat firmly on the opposition benches.

“We used to think we were born to do politics as the Opposition… but somehow the public showed faith, and step by step, climbing one rung at a time, one day I got the responsibility of being Maharashtra’s Chief Minister,” he said, reiterating that politics remains a vital instrument for socio-economic change.

The outreach to the younger generation reflects a strategic shift across the political spectrum as thousands of Gen Z and first-time voters join the electoral rolls. Political parties in Maharashtra and across the country are increasingly relying on youth-focused conclaves, digital campaigns, and targeted policy messaging to engage a demographic that prioritises career growth, startup support, and transparent governance over traditional political patronage.

The Chief Minister recalled his battles, including spending 18 days in Badaun central jail at age 20 during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

“I went to Prayagraj; from there I went toward Ayodhya. That was one of the first times I saw how speeches and rhetoric work. We were fired on, beaten with sticks, and arrested. At 20, I spent 18 days in the central jail at Badaun. I returned and then went back to the movement. And when the Babri Masjid structure was demolished in 1992, I was there. I am very proud of that,” he said.

Asked about measures taken to nurture startups in the state, Mr. Fadnavis said the government prepared a good policy for the startup ecosystem, set up funds, created incubation centres, and is now decentralising them.

“Any child from a tier-3 city who has an idea and wants to transform it into a commercial product will get full help and 100 per cent support,” he assured.

To a query whether the government will frame a policy to reduce screentime for children, Mr. Fadnavis said there was a need to reduce screen time, and there should be deliberations on this.

“Being on screen isn’t entirely wrong. As you know, our economy is growing, and content creators are building a large economy and creating livelihoods. But there has to be a balance,” he said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday (August 15, 2026) seconded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “intellectual Naxals” comment made during his Independence Day address in New Delhi.

Mr. Fadnavis said that while “armed Naxalism had been defeated, an ideological form of Naxalism prevails”. Addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day, Mr. Modi said “intellectual Naxals” (dimagi Naxals) have become part of the system and continue to pose a threat to society. The Prime Minister urged citizens to “identify and isolate” them.

Backing Mr. Modi’s statement, Mr. Fadnavis said: “I think the Prime Minister has made a very appropriate reference. Naxalism with a gun has ended. But, we are seeing a more dangerous kind of ‘dimagi Naxalism’.”

“Unfortunately, we saw one such example even at today’s Congress programme. The decision to play the complete Vande Mataram on August 15 was taken within the constitutional powers of the country. If reports that Sonia Gandhi was unhappy because the full Vande Mataram was played are true, then what else can this be but ‘dimagi Naxalism’ among people whose minds are filled with anarchy,” he said.

Women’s reservation bill

On the Prime Minister’s pitch to move a Bill to reserve seats for women in Parliament, Mr. Fadnavis said parties opposing the proposal should understand the constitutional conditions attached to the 2023 legislation.

“Those who are selectively reacting to the PM’s appeal on women’s reservation should remember that when the women’s reservation legislation was approved through a constitutional amendment in 2023, two conditions were put in it. The first was completion of the Census and the second was delimitation after the Census. Only after these two processes can the women’s reservation be implemented,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously introduced the Bill to increase the number of seats in both Houses of Parliament alongside the women’s reservation Bill. The move was opposed by Opposition MPs, especially from southern states, as it could potentially reduce their representation. That Bill was defeated in a session four months ago.

“Today, the situation is the same as it was under the 2023 legislation. If women’s reservation is to be implemented under that law, the Census has to be completed and then delimitation has to be carried out. If you want another option, the only way is to support the new constitutional amendment that has been proposed,” he said.

He accused the Opposition of taking contradictory positions.

“In 2023, you supported the Bill with your vote. Therefore, you also know that women’s reservation cannot be given under that legislation without these two pre-conditions. If you genuinely want women’s reservation, then support the constitutional amendment and pass it with a two-thirds majority. Only then can women get reservation in 2029,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

Mr. Fadnavis also criticised Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for their absence from the Independence Day function, saying opposition to the BJP should not be equated with opposition to the country.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) ordered that the licence of the residential tribal school, where three girls died due to snake bite, be cancelled permanently. The administration said that it was in the process of issuing a notice regarding the matter. The CM also said that the official who had inspected the school earlier and had submitted a report, should be placed under suspension.

Maharashtra Tribal Affairs Minister Ashok Uike is learnt to have said in the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) that the government should take strict action against the private organisation which receives government aid to run the residential school for tribal girls.

“The tribal residential schools need to be inspected properly. Instead of looking at only such schools which are on the main roads, the schools in the interior areas too need to be inspected properly. This school had no teacher, no warden. No facilities were provided though this school received government aid,” the CM is learnt to have said during the meeting.

Meanwhile, a 14-year-old girl continued to be critical and remained under treatment. Another girl, 11, is stable, district health officials told The Hindu. Officials said that the snake bit five girls, and not six, as reported earlier in the media. Several girls felt scared and said they had symptoms like stomach ache and vomiting. “They were all admitted and later discharged after found to be stable,” Dr. Pratap Shinde, District Health Officer, Gadchiroli, told The Hindu.

The incident took place in the intervening night between August 9 and August 10. approximately between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.. At the residential tribal school for girls in Japtalai in Dhanora taluka, some girls were sleeping on the floor in a large hall. The total number of girls in the tribal school is 233.

Political reactions

The Opposition slammed the government and asked that the culprits be booked for culpable homicide. “This is a murder by the system,” NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut asked how the girls could die of a snake bite in Maharashtra. The BJP said that the school was being run by the organisation owned by Congress leader Marotrao Kowase, who was an MLA for three terms and an MP for one term.

Members of Parliament of Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar group met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday. While commenting on the meet, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said there was “Nothing wrong with meeting PM”.

“The Prime Minister is of the country and not just of a party. I am also Chief Minister, people from different parties meet me for their work. If they have met, it is good,” Mr Fadnavis said while addressing media persons. 

The remarks came following NCP-SP’s eight MPs delegation meeting led by working president Supriya Sule on Monday (August 10, 2026) to discuss several issues related to Maharashtra.

“At the meeting Maharashtra related issues were discussed,” said Mr. Sule, adding that PM assured of positive and concrete measures on all these issues. 

According to NCP leader Amol Kolhe, the delegation demanded to award Bharat Ratna to Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Savitribai Phule, Shahir Anna Bhau Sathe and Tukdoji Maharaj. 

“All of eight MPs had some pending matters in their respective constituencies. We have been unable to present these matters in the parliament. Nothing is wrong in presenting these matters to the PM if they could get resolved,” said Mr. Kolhe. 

NCP-SP also submitted a memorandum citing their demands. On Saturday, Ms Sule opposed the FCRA Amendments Bill and pointed out that the Centre should either refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) before tabling it or withdraw it. 

This is the second time that Ms. Sule met the PM in a month. The last meeting was held on July 22, when NCP (SP) chief and her father, Sharad Pawar, met the PM to discuss students’ demands regarding the NEET paper leaks. 

“Police have detained the driver of a tempo after its collision with a truck in Maharashtra’s Palghar district that claimed 13 lives, and registered a First Information Report (FIR) against both drivers for violating road rules,” officials said on Tuesday (May 19, 2026).

Palghar District Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, who visited the accident site on Monday (May 18, 2026) night, said heavy traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, coupled with the tempo driver taking a wrong-side shortcut in violation of traffic rules, led to the fatal crash.

“This highway witnesses heavy traffic. There is a dire need for greater awareness regarding traffic regulations and the law. In an unfortunate attempt to avoid a long route and take a shortcut, the tempo was driven on the wrong side of the highway, which led to this collision,” Mr. Naik told reporters.

“The tempo, packed with 30-40 passengers, was heading for an engagement ceremony when it collided with a speeding sand-laden truck near Dhaniwari village under Dahanu taluka on the highway at around 4 p.m. on Monday (May 18, 2026), killing 13 persons and injuring 14 others,” officials said.

A statement from the Palghar District Administration said the tempo was moving on the wrong side of the Mumbai-Gujarat lane. Upon reaching Dhaniwari village, a truck coming from the opposite direction lost control, and its container box collided heavily with the left side of the tempo. “A motorcycle was also caught in the pile-up. The truck overturned, and the victims got trapped beneath its cargo,” it said.

“An FIR has been registered against the drivers of both the truck and the tempo under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act,” an official from Kasa police station told PTI.

“The 45-year-old tempo driver has been taken into police custody for further investigation. The truck driver, who was injured, is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital under police watch,” the official said.

Palghar Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik visited the accident site and also met the survivors at the hospital late on Monday (May 18, 2026) night. He said the crash occurred due to traffic rule violations and stressed the need for greater awareness of road regulations and that this dangerous practice is rampant on the route.

On May 1, a dumper collided with a car carrying Palghar BJP MP Hemant Sawra at a different location on the highway. While Mr. Sawra escaped unhurt, the car driver suffered minor injuries.

Mr. Naik said the government will bear the full medical expenses of all those injured and will continue to take care of them even after they are discharged.

“The 14 injured persons were currently admitted to Vedanta Hospital in Dahanu. Three of them were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while the others were under observation and reported to be stable,” Palghar regional disaster cell Subash Bagde said.

“The postmortem examinations were completed, and the bodies were being handed over to relatives,” Dahanu Tehsildar Sunil Koli said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the family member of the deceased.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said there is no shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders in the state, accusing Congress of spreading panic that has led to long queues at LPG distribution centres.

“The long queues are not because of the lack of shortage of LPG but the panic Congress has created, confusing people, forcing them to stand in line. The central government, secretaries have clarified that there is no shortage by Congress conspiring to mislead the country,” said Mr. Fadnavis, who also holds the Home Minister portfolio. 

He slammed Congress for instigating people and insulting the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking to the media in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district.

Mr. Fadnavis’ statement comes at a time when people are waiting in line for LPG cylinders, facing technical issues in booking the cylinders, facing delays in cylinder deliveries, and a price hike. The hospitality sector has been hit as the Centre restricted the commercial supply, prioritising the domestic supply.

Congress in Maharashtra has staged a protest against the price hike as oil marketing companies hiked the price of a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder by Rs 60 and commercial cylinder by Rs 115 on March 7, and the government’s improper management of the smooth supply.

Taking a dig at Mr. Modi, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad questioned where are those who thumped 56-inch chests, when citizens are forced to stand in queue in scorching heat for an LPG cylinder on the X.

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also criticised the BJP government for failing to address the issue, saying they are busy in the election campaign and have remained silent when at least 40 hotels in the industry have shut down due to the shortage.

“PM Modi has always answered the opposition with action. Top leaders in the US have appreciated him for his ability to bring unanimity among the countries, but leaders in our country are humiliating him, which should stop.