Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and other opposition parties, calling them “serial liars” and accusing them of misleading the public over the Women’s Reservation Bill. He made the remarks while addressing the launch of the Yuva Shakti Jagar Yatra organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in Mumbai.

Fadnavis alleged that the opposition had betrayed women’s empowerment by opposing or stalling the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill, which proposes 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures. He claimed that while opposition parties supported the bill in 2023 when the BJP had a strong parliamentary position, their stance changed once the party’s majority dynamics shifted.

The Chief Minister further accused the opposition of spreading misinformation regarding parliamentary processes, delimitation, and census-related issues. He said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had shown willingness to consider amendments suggested by the opposition, but claimed that no constructive response was given. He argued that resistance to the bill reflected a lack of intent to increase women’s representation in politics.

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Fadnavis also framed the political contest as an ideological struggle, urging youth to counter what he described as “false narratives” and divisive politics. He said that for members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the principle of “Nation First” should guide their actions, and contrasted it with what he termed the opposition’s politics of obstruction.

The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of youth participation, noting that nearly 65 per cent of Maharashtra’s population is under the age of 35. He said that the Yuva Shakti Jagar Yatra aims to mobilise young people, connect with different sections of society, and promote what he described as nationalistic values and constructive engagement in public life.

Fadnavis also raised concerns about ideological influences among students, alleging attempts to spread “urban Naxalism” and anti-national sentiments in educational institutions. He said the campaign would help counter such trends by strengthening constitutional awareness and encouraging youth to contribute positively to the state’s development.

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