Pune: Banner Proclaiming CM Devendra Fadnavis as Chanakya Burnt in Ajit Pawar’s Baramati
Baramati, 16th December 2024: A banner proclaiming Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, as Chanakya (genius mastermind) was burnt in Baramati, the stronghold of his political ally and Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar. Fadnavis is affectionately referred to as Chanakya by his supporters due to the unprecedented success of the Mahayuti alliance in the recent Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections, where it secured 237 out of 288 seats. Social media and banners across Maharashtra celebrate Fadnavis as a modern-day Chanakya.
Chanakya, an ancient Indian philosopher, economist, and political strategist, was the architect of the Mauryan Empire. He authored the Arthashastra, a treatise on governance, diplomacy, and economics, and is renowned for his intellect and strategic brilliance, which united India under Chandragupta Maurya.
Amid this admiration, an unknown person set fire to Fadnavis’s banner in Baramati. The banner, placed in front of the Baramati Nagar Parishad Office, was partially burned. Pune Rural Police quickly intervened, preventing further chaos. Baramati has been a stronghold of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its leader, Ajit Pawar, since the 1990s. This incident in Pawar’s bastion has sparked speculation, especially as Fadnavis, Pawar, and Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena are all key figures in the Mahayuti government.
