Shah rules out Fadnavis resignation

Not running away, says Maha Deputy CM days after offering to quit following poll debacle

-  SUDHIR SURYAWANSHI

THE BJP leadership has put Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' resignation on hold and asked him to continue his work.

Speaking after a party meeting where state BJP legislators passed a resolution reposing faith in him and seeking that he continue as party leader, Fadnavis said that fake narrative acted as another opposition party that the ruling Mahayuti coalition had to fight.

His offer to quit as deputy CM was not prompted by emotions or sadness over the electoral setback, Fadnavis told reporters, adding, "I am not someone who runs away. I fight back.... When cornered on all sides, we can rise again with force...this is what we learn from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

"I met Amit Shah (in Delhi) who asked me to continue, and I will do that. We have a strategy. I have already started work (for the assembly elections which are due this year)," said the BJP leader.