Devendra Fadnavis’s story in Indian politics is all about hard work and smart thinking. He was born into a family that was already involved in politics—his dad, Gangadharrao Fadnavis, was a member of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). But Devendra had to find his own way by starting from the ground up, getting involved in local activities, and joining student groups.
When he was a student, he showed he understood how to communicate well. One important moment in his life was when he left Indira Convent School during the Emergency period initiated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He switched to Saraswati Vidyalaya to finish his studies, showing his courage.
As a disciplined student and a natural leader, many of Fadnavis’s classmates remember him fondly. Nikhil Mundle, a friend from childhood, described him as someone who “never broke rules” and who could connect with all kinds of people. An entrepreneur friend, Ravleen Khurana, shared how Fadnavis helped him during a college debate. She won the competition using points he suggested!
Fadnavis studied law, but instead of becoming a lawyer, he focused on activism and worked with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), making many important connections along the way.
At just 22 years old, Fadnavis became a corporator in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. He learned how to listen to the public and solve problems. By the age of 27, he became the youngest mayor of Nagpur, taking on more responsibilities.
In 1999, he moved to state politics and won his first assembly election. As a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), he was known for doing careful research and having fact-based discussions. He was often recognized for looking at state budgets closely and pointing out what didn’t work well, always using data to support his arguments.
During this time, a friend suggested he try modeling. Although he was shy at first, he kept at it. After taking over 100 photos in different outfits, he ended up with eight huge ads in Nagpur. His friends say that former Prime Minister Vajpayee even called him the “model MLA.”
Fadnavis’s ability to analyze important information and give powerful speeches helped him catch the eye of senior BJP leaders like Gopinath Munde. Today, his journey from local activism to becoming a well-known politician is defined by his dedication, hard work, and great communication skills
