Mumbai, Sep 3: Amid ongoing speculation regarding his potential shift to national politics in New Delhi, Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday firmly put an end to the rumours, clarifying that he will continue to serve in the state until at least 2029.

Speaking at the infra conclave organised by a Marathi TV channel, CM Fadnavis addressed the recurring reports about his move to the national Capital, noting that his future remains in the hands of his party leadership.

“My party and my leaders will decide my role. The day they decide, I will certainly go to Delhi. But as of today, it is my view that I am not going to Delhi until 2029,” he stated.

Dismissing the frequent media chatter, he added with a touch of humour: “Some of my well-wishers believe that going to Delhi would be a promotion for me, while others think that if I leave, a burden will be lifted off their heads. Whether people like it or not, my leaders will keep me in Maharashtra until 2029. Every two to three months, whenever someone lacks news or wants to create hype, they send me to Delhi. I actually enjoy it.”

The CM’s clarification comes after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut, on Thursday made a dramatic claim, stating that despite Devendra Fadnavis ruling out a shift to national politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants him in New Delhi to entrust him with a major responsibility.

​Speaking to the media, Raut claimed that discussions regarding Fadnavis’ elevation are actively underway within the inner circles of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). ​

“Prime Minister Modi wants to bring Devendra Fadnavis to Delhi and assign him a significant responsibility. This much I know for a fact,” he said.

​Elaborating further on the internal deliberations of the RSS, Raut claimed that the Sangh wants a key leader who is not currently part of the Union Cabinet to be appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister.

​”According to information from within the RSS circles, the Sangh holds the view that a crucial leader who is not currently in the Central government should be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. The RSS believes that the individual slated to be PM Modi’s successor in the Cabinet should be positioned in the role of Deputy Prime Minister—and as far as I know, that person is currently not in Delhi,” Raut added.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis also outlined his vision for Maharashtra’s economic future, emphasising that the state is on the verge of achieving its goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy. Highlighting the state’s current progress, he noted that while Maharashtra’s current growth rate stands at an impressive 8.8 per cent, it needs to cross the 10 per cent mark to meet its target within the decade.

“Many states dream of reaching a $1 trillion economy, but Maharashtra is closest to achieving it because we have already reached $660 billion,” Fadnavis said, adding that, “If we maintain a sustained growth rate, we will undoubtedly become a $1 trillion economy by 2030.”

Mumbai: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a coordinated action to implement the directions issued by the court. The Supreme Court had issued the necessary directions regarding the Orchid City Centre Mall located on Belasis Road in Mumbai Central area. As part of this process, a joint notice has been issued to the concerned owners/developers as well as the users/occupants of stalls, units and shops, directing them to vacate the premises of Orchid City Centre Mall. Further, clear instructions have been issued that entry or use of the mall premises is prohibited until formal permission is obtained from the competent authority. A coordination meeting was recently held by the BMC’s ‘D’ ward. Officers of the concerned municipal departments, representatives of Nagpada Police Station and Best Undertaking as well as representatives associated with Orchid City Centre Mall also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the representatives of the mall management were directed to voluntarily and strictly comply with the order of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Orders In 2020, a fire broke out at the Orchid City Centre Mall located on Belasis Road in Mumbai Central. In this context, the Supreme Court issued directions on August 25, 2026. It should be strictly ensured that the entire Orchid City Centre Mall building which has been damaged due to fire shall not be used for any purpose until the developer completes comprehensive repairs of the entire structure. The building cannot be used in any manner until the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration is satisfied that the entire structure (including all floors) is completely safe for all activities and works and complies with all legal requirements. Directions issued by the court The Supreme Court has ordered that the entire building be kept completely sealed and no one should be allowed to enter the premises.

In light of the Supreme Court order, on the directions of the Supreme Court, it was decided during the meeting to conduct a joint operation to vacate the Orchid City Centre Mall building, involving the Building and Factory Department, Building Proposal Department and Mumbai Fire Brigade of the BMC. Accordingly, a joint notice has been issued to the concerned owners/developers as well as the users/occupants of the stalls, units and shops regarding the vacating of the building. Public notices prohibiting citizens and users from entering, using or occupying the building have been displayed in the premises of the mall. The notices clarify that the entire Orchid City Centre Mall cannot be used, and entry will remain strictly prohibited, until the Hon’ble. Supreme Court’s directions are followed and prior permission is taken from the competent authority. Meanwhile, instructions have been issued to disconnect the water supply of the mall, take appropriate action regarding the municipal license and disconnect the electricity supply (except for the electricity required for construction purposes). Nagpara Police has been directed to provide necessary police security for the smooth conduct of the operation and maintenance of law and order.

The BMC administration appeals to all concerned parties to voluntarily comply with the court’s directions. They are urged not to enter or use the premises of the mall until formal permission is obtained from the competent authority and to fully cooperate with the municipal and police administration. However, the administration has made it clear that if the directions are not followed, strict action as per the law and the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court will be taken regarding vacating and sealing the premises.
Meanwhile, the concerned departments of the Municipal Corporation will independently take necessary action within their respective legal jurisdiction. The administration has further stated that any future permissions regarding entry, use, or occupancy of the building will be granted by the Municipal Corporation acting as the competent authority, as per the directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

Mumbai: As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, the draft electoral rolls have been published under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 programme. Claims and objections regarding the draft rolls, such as cases where names are missing or there are problems with the existing entries, can be filed till September 30, 2026. Voters are being informed about this through various channels. However, District Election Officer and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has appealed to all political parties to encourage voters to include their names in the voter list by completing the necessary documents. Meanwhile, representatives of political parties have expressed satisfaction over the actions taken by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration regarding the SIR-2026 programme in the Mumbai area.
A meeting with political parties regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 programme was held today (03 September 2026) at the Municipal Corporation Headquarters. The meeting was attended by Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Lawangire; Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma; Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Shri Abhijit Bangar; Joint Commissioner (Assessment and Collection) Shri Vishwas Shankarwar; along with representatives of various political parties. The representatives of political parties were given detailed information about the ongoing process for Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR)-2026 through a computer presentation. Under this programme, several processes have already been completed, including door-to-door visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs); Distribution, collection and digitization of counting forms; publication of draft electoral roll; and rationalization of polling stations (with the approval of the Election Commission). Currently, claims and objections will be accepted from August 31 to September 30, 2026. Thereafter, claims and objections will be disposed of between August 31 and October 29, 2026, and the final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on November 4, 2026. In this context, District Election Officer and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that the administration is trying to complete the SIR-2026 process within the stipulated time through coordination of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Supervisors, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs). He urged political parties to cooperate with BLOs to reach out to voters, provide them with proper guidance, and submit the necessary documents for inclusion in the voter list. Bhide also appealed for cooperation to ensure that the entire process is carried out smoothly and properly.