Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced that he will personally oversee the preparation of the 2026-27 state budget following the sudden demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The move aims to ensure smooth administrative functioning and political stability amid the leadership vacuum in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Fadnavis said Ajit Pawar, who also served as the state Finance Minister, had completed most of the groundwork for the upcoming budget. “Ajit Dada had handled all the budget preparations. I will personally look into the remaining processes starting tomorrow,” the CM said, adding that the decision on who will eventually present the budget in the legislature will be taken later to IANS.

The Chief Minister reaffirmed the government and BJP’s support for the NCP and Ajit Pawar’s family. “Whatever decision the NCP takes regarding its leadership or the family, we will stand firmly behind them,” he said, signalling continued stability in the MahaYuti alliance.

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On the vacant Deputy Chief Minister’s post, Fadnavis said discussions are ongoing with NCP leaders. “Whatever decision the NCP takes regarding its leadership or the family, we as a government and as the BJP will stand firmly behind them,” he added.

"They (NCP leaders) have met and discussed their internal procedures and available options with me twice. However, the final decision rests with their party, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further until they finalise it," he added.

Fadnavis also addressed pending Mayoral elections in cities like Mumbai and Nagpur, noting that candidates will be finalised after consultations with local party leaders and legislators in the coming days.