LMOTY 2025: CM Devendra Fadnavis Chides Nitesh Rane Over Controversial Statements, Says “Whatever Our Personal Views…”

Mumbai, Maharashtra (March 19, 2025): Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to recent remarks made by Cabinet Minister Nitesh Rane without naming him directly. Fadnavis addressed the issue during an interview at the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year 2025 awards ceremony held at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.

During the event, Fadnavis was interviewed by Jayant Patil, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party - Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP). 

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Patil raised the issue of divisive statements made by certain responsible individuals in the government without naming Rane. He asked, "Some responsible people in your government are using highly provocative language about specific communities. This is creating division in society. What is your stance on this?"

Fadnavis responded, "I believe that when we hold a ministerial position, we must speak with restraint. As ministers, we have a role to play, and this is something that Atal Bihari Vajpayee once mentioned – we must adhere to Raj Dharma as ministers."

Further elaborating, Fadnavis added, "Whatever our personal views or preferences may be, we have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution. The Constitution assigns us the responsibility to treat everyone fairly and without discrimination."

"I believe ministers should maintain restraint while speaking. Their words should not cause division. This should be the goal. Sometimes, young ministers may speak impulsively. When that happens, I engage with them and advise them to speak with restraint now that they hold the position of a minister, he added.