PUNE: With the Maharashtra assembly elections approaching in the coming months, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed party members to counter the opposition's narrative aggressively. At a state convention in Pune on Saturday, Fadnavis emphasized the importance of dismantling the opposition’s false stance with vigorous efforts ahead of the assembly elections.

Fadnavis acknowledged that the party’s previous lack of attentiveness to the opposition’s narrative had negatively impacted their performance, particularly in the recent Lok Sabha elections. He accused the INDIA bloc of orchestrating a widespread conspiracy to spread a false narrative with external support to weaken India. “We were unprepared to counter this fake narrative, leading to unsatisfactory results,” Fadnavis remarked. He stressed the need for a robust campaign to promote the correct narrative both on the ground and online.

He urged BJP leaders and members to focus solely on re-electing the MahaYuti government in Maharashtra, drawing parallels to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s relentless pursuit of ‘Hindvi Swarajya’ and Arjuna’s focused aim on the fish’s eye. However, he also warned against engaging in "negative talks" or discussions about the next chief minister. Fadnavis defended the party’s alliance with Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, and the subsequent partnership with Ajit Pawar’s NCP, emphasizing their alignment with Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s principles.

Fadnavis also highlighted attempts by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and activists to undermine the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana,' but he reassured that the government remains committed to its implementation in honour of women. He criticized the MVA for stalling development and welfare programs initiated by the MahaYuti government.