Bureaucrats in Mantralaya who worked with Devendra Fadnavis when he was chief minister from 2014-19 and later as deputy CM from 2022-24 see in him an able administrator.
A senior bureaucrat remembered how his minister had wanted him to sign allowing the import of an essential item and he had refused. The matter went to Fadnavis and when he explained his stand, Fadnavis stood by the bureaucrat.
Another official said Fadnavis grasped issues easily, did not arm-twist and liked bureaucrats who are forthright. “He’s a hands-on person, took regular reviews of department work but did not interfere in routine issues. He held meetings very regularly including over the phone when he was zipping across the state,” said a bureaucrat.
Fadnavis is seen as capable with a sound knowledge of many departments. “He has held Home first as CM and then as Dy CM. As CM, he was also in charge of Urban Development, has understanding of irrigation and can get things done. As CM, all important decisions were routed through him. He not only knows how to run the govt but also a coalition,” said sources.
Even in opposition while the MVA was governing the state, Fadnavis made it a point to travel across the state during the Covid lockdown, raised issues involving corruption and kept the govt on its toes.
While some MLAs complained of having to wait for hours to meet him when he was CM, others pointed out that work in their constituencies was approved in record time. Not many MLAs were, however, comfortable with his proximity to certain leaders who were around him 24×7. “These men accessed his office freely while we had to wait hours to meet him,” said a former MLA.
But Fadnavis was perceived as accessible to the ordinary citizen. There are stories of how he would patiently listen, often for an hour to understand an issue better and then order officials to get the work done immediately.
Sources said as CM, Fadnavis will not face challenges, he will handle the Maratha reservation issue well. “He has his own team and besides a team from the BJP will help him in running the govt,” said sources.