Devendra Fadnavis rejects Uddhav Thackeray regime change remark citing democratic stability

Devendra Fadnavis addresses Nagpur press brief

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded firmly to Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray over his endorsement of opposition calls for a regime change in India, emphasizing that governments in a constitutional democracy are decided strictly through elections.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis noted that Thackeray had failed to maintain stability within his own party before lecturing the nation on political change. He pointed out that internal upheaval broke out in the undivided Shiv Sena when its leadership departed from its founding ideology, prompting members committed to Balasaheb Thackeray's principles to realign and form the real Shiv Sena alongside Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in June 2022.

Fadnavis stressed that India's strong constitutional framework guarantees political stability and institutional integrity, ensuring that power changes hands through democratic mandates rather than street agitation.

"Decisions in this country will be taken in Parliament and in accordance with the Constitution, not on the streets," Fadnavis said. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government enjoys strong public confidence and will be elected again in 2029.

Constitutional democratic process versus street protests

The Chief Minister warned against attempts to bypass constitutional avenues, pointing to student and youth-led demonstrations that overturned governments in neighbouring nations, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. He asserted that attempts to replicate street-driven disruptions in India would not succeed because the Indian electorate trusts the democratic process.

Thackeray had earlier defended opposition remarks regarding regime change, arguing that citizens were left with limited options when rights to protest or vote were questioned. His remarks coincided with street demonstrations in Delhi involving student groups and political representatives over electoral roll revisions.

Fadnavis urged opposition figures to respect democratic institutions, contest upcoming elections, and win public support through the ballot box rather than promoting unrest.