A third oath, a measured message
On a day packed with ritual and power optics at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, Devendra Fadnavis took oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister for the third time, while his wife Amruta struck a calm, grounded note. “It’s a beautiful day,” she told reporters, before adding the line that defined the mood of the family: happiness is there, but the responsibility is greater.
For the Fadnavis household, it was both familiar and fresh. He returns to the state’s top job after being elected MLA for the sixth time, a milestone Amruta highlighted with a smile and a reminder that experience does not shrink the burden—it deepens it. Her choice of words set a tone that was restrained, not triumphant.
The ceremony itself underlined the political heft behind the new administration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, and chief ministers from several states attended, projecting national backing for the government in Mumbai. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers, signaling where power and responsibility will sit inside the coalition.
Amruta’s brief comments also offered a policy cue: women’s welfare needs sharper, wider coverage across Maharashtra. In a few spare lines, she pointed to a theme the new government will be judged on—how far and how fast it can improve everyday safety, access to services, and real economic opportunity for women.
A day layered with symbolism—and a policy to-do list
The visuals told their own story. Amruta wore a gold-toned saree, a choice that felt ceremonial without being showy. Before the oath, Devendra Fadnavis visited the Siddhivinayak and Mumbadevi temples and sought blessings from his mother. The official invitation even carried her name in his full name—“Devendra Sarita Gangadharrao Fadnavis”—a quiet nod to the role family has played in his public life.
Those personal touches were paired with signals of continuity. As a leader, Fadnavis has built a reputation for administrative discipline and a focus on large projects. Returning to the chief minister’s office with two deputies at his side suggests a division of labor that could speed up decisions if the coordination is tight—and slow them down if rivalries surface. Much will depend on how portfolios are carved up and how the three centers of power operate day to day.
Amruta’s emphasis on women’s welfare is likely to be one of the early tests. The needs are straightforward and urgent: safer streets and public transport, better access to healthcare in district hospitals, more hostels and secure housing for working women, stronger police response to harassment and domestic violence, and steady capital for women-led businesses and self-help groups. Maharashtra has the scale to lead in each of these areas—if delivery matches ambition.
Expect the administration to look at a mix of measures that can show results quickly while building longer-term change. That could include:
- More women-only help desks at police stations and faster-case protocols in crimes against women.
- Expanded skill and credit programs for women entrepreneurs, tied to market access rather than just training certificates.
- Safer mobility—better lighting, last-mile connectivity to bus and metro stations, and reliable night-time services in cities and larger towns.
- Strengthening district-level health services for maternal care and screening programs, especially in underserved blocks.
The bigger governance agenda, though, reaches far beyond a single theme. Maharashtra’s economy needs sustained private investment and jobs, while farmers look for price stability, timely payments, and protection from climate shocks. Cities need faster decisions on transport, affordable housing, and flood resilience. The coastline faces a balancing act between development and environmental safeguards. And then there’s the digital front: cybercrime is no longer niche; it hits households and small businesses every week.
The oath ceremony’s guest list wasn’t just about star power; it also signaled the Centre-state bandwidth the government can tap. That matters for funds, clearances, and coordination on large projects. It also matters politically, because Maharashtra’s coalition needs to move in sync with national priorities without losing sight of local demands.
Inside the government, a few early choices will be telling:
- Who gets which portfolio, and whether key departments—home, finance, urban development, public works—are aligned under a common strategy rather than silos.
- Whether the first budget sets a clear jobs-and-infrastructure spine, backed by credible financing and execution timelines.
- How quickly the administration defines its women-centric package, with measurable targets and district-wise rollouts.
- Whether agrarian support—crop insurance efficiency, procurement, and water management—gets operational fixes, not just announcements.
There is also the politics of stability. With two Deputy Chief Ministers—Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar—the CM’s office must be both referee and engine room. Maharashtra has seen coalition churn before; the difference between a government that lasts and one that lurches is often the mundane stuff: clear meetings, swift file movement, and a small set of non-negotiable priorities enforced across departments.
Public sentiment will track outcomes more than ceremony. In Mumbai and Pune, commuters will judge the government by crowding on trains and buses, travel times, and potholes. In industrial belts, it will be clear from the pace of new unit approvals and how quickly utilities get connected. In Marathwada and Vidarbha, attention will be on water, crop viability, and rural jobs. If delivery improves where people live, the political dividends follow.
The new term also opens space to reset how the state talks to citizens. Simple, clear dashboards that show progress on major projects help build trust. Time-bound grievance redressal—at the taluka and ward level—keeps small problems from becoming big political stories. And regular outreach with women’s groups, farmer collectives, and industry associations ensures that policy corrections happen early, not after a crisis.
Symbolism matters, but it cannot substitute for outcomes. The gesture of including his mother’s name on the invitation resonated because it felt human in a space that often feels impersonal. It set a tone of respect and rootedness. Now the pressure shifts to the files on the CM’s desk: budget math, cabinet shape, project pipelines, and a women’s welfare package that moves from promise to practice.
Amruta Fadnavis’s line—joy tempered by responsibility—captured the expectation better than any speech. The celebration is over. The work, by design, is heavier.