3 min readMumbaiUpdated: Jul 11, 2026 09:51 PM IST
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar Saturday triggered fresh political speculation over Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s possible move to Delhi.
Neither leader claimed that Fadnavis was certain to move to the Centre, but both said such a possibility existed.
“If Devendra Fadnavis goes to Delhi, I believe (BJP minister) Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s name will be considered for the chief minister’s post. In fact, it is my assessment that Fadnavis himself would recommend Bawankule’s name,” Raut said.
“Bawankule appears to be the most suitable leader from Vidarbha after Fadnavis. He keeps communication with everyone and carries people along,” he added.
Raut also ruled out Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde returning as chief minister.
“Eknath Shinde will not become chief minister again, absolutely not,” he said, while also dismissing the possibility of senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan emerging as a contender.
Rohit Pawar, however, offered a different reading of the political situation.
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“Shinde’s weight has increased both in Maharashtra and in Delhi. Senior BJP leaders are backing him,” Pawar said, suggesting that the deputy chief minister remained a strong contender if a vacancy were to arise.
The remarks come amid repeated claims by Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, including Aaditya Thackeray, that Fadnavis could eventually be assigned responsibilities in Delhi.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MLC Bacchu Kadu backed an entirely different formula.
“Devendra Fadnavis should go to Delhi and take up national responsibilities, while Eknath Shinde should lead Maharashtra,” Kadu said in Nagpur.
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“Eknath Shinde’s rebellion brought the BJP back to power in Maharashtra. Therefore, if Fadnavis goes to Delhi, the leadership of the state should go to Shinde on moral grounds, irrespective of numbers,” he said.
Kadu also took a swipe at Raut’s prediction.
“Sanjay Raut’s predictions have rarely come true. I don’t know which astrologer he consulted before making this forecast,” he said.
‘BJP to contest 2029 polls under Fadnavis’
BJP leaders, however, brushed aside the speculation.
Minister Girish Mahajan and senior BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar mocked Raut’s remarks, saying they did not believe the BJP leadership shared its internal decisions with the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP.
“We don’t think the BJP leadership informs all its decisions to Sanjay Raut,” Mahajan said sarcastically.
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Maharashtra BJP chief spokesperson Navnath Ban told media persons, “CM Devendra Fadnavis will continue in Maharashtra. He is not moving to Delhi. All these speculations are baseless. Under Fadnavis’s leadership, the BJP will contest the next Assembly polls in 2029. And it will emerge victorious with a bigger mandate because of good governance.”
Taking a jibe at Raut, Ban said, “Sanjay Raut has no right to take any decision about Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators. But look at his audacity, he is predicting the future of Fadnavis.”
