Will continue as Maharashtra CM till 2029, Delhi is still far away: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday affirmed that he intends to remain in office until 2029 and dismissed any possibility of changes within the current ruling alliance reported the PTISpeaking to the media during a Diwali interaction at his official residence Varsha in Mumbai CM Fadnavis also took aim at the Opposition over concerns regarding the electoral rollsAs far as I know my partyhellip Delhi is still far away I will continue as Maharashtra CM till 2029 CM Fadnavis said brushing off speculation about a possible move to national politics the PTI reportedCM Fadnavis stated that the existing coalition of the BJP Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawarrsquos NCP would remain intactldquoThere will be no new partners or swapping of partnersrdquo he stated clearlyThe senior Maharashtra BJP leader criticised the Opposition for alleging discrepancies in the electoral rolls ahead of the crucial Maharashtra local body elections which must be held by 31 January 2026 He accused rival parties of attempting to delay the elections under false pretences stating ldquoThey havenrsquot given any valid objections or suggestions Their intention is simply to create a perception and postpone the pollsrdquo according to the PTIReflecting on political rivalries CM Fadnavis said he bore no ill will towards opponents and expressed hope for improved political relations following the 2024 assembly electionsldquoEarlier due to the political instability after the 2019 polls there was an enmitylike atmosphere Now I have cordial relations with 99 per cent of political leadersrdquo he claimed as per the PTIOn speculation around a potential alliance between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray Fadnavis said ldquoIf Raj says I brought the brothers together on the issue of Marathi pride I take that as a compliment the news agency reportedResponding to accusations that he orchestrated such an alliance to undermine Eknath Shinde Fadnavis said both he and Shinde share strong individual relations with Raj Thackeray ldquoJust as I have a rapport with Raj Shinde enjoys the samerdquo he saidCM Fadnavis reiterated that the Thackeray brand refers solely to the late Bal Thackeray founder of the Shiv Sena He added ldquoOnly ambitions and perceived injustice break political partiesmdashnot third parties like merdquo the PTI reportedOn a possible cabinet reshuffle the Chief Minister indicated a performance audit would be conducted soon as the government nears its oneyear mark ldquoNo minister is inefficientrdquo he addedRegarding alliances for local body elections Fadnavis said the ruling Mahayuti alliance will make politically strategic decisions In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region prepoll tieups will be pursued while postpoll alliances may be explored elsewhere in the stateThe BJP leader also touched upon the quality of infrastructure development in Mumbai claiming it would last for 100 years and dismissing any concerns about structural flawsCommenting on Biharrsquos upcoming assembly elections where he is a key campaigner Fadnavis expressed confidence in the NDAs performance asserting there is no antiincumbency sentiment against Chief Minister Nitish Kumarwith PTI inputs