Nagpur: Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday asserted CM Devendra Fadnavis would continue to lead Maharashtra until 2034, while dismissing speculation over NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar joining NDA.Speaking separately to reporters in Bhandara and at Nagpur Airport, Bawankule said sentiment of Maharashtra’s 14 crore people was that Fadnavis should continue at the top post. “I say this consciously — Devendra Fadnavis will remain the CM till 2034,” he said, describing him as a visionary leader under whose tenure the state witnessed major development initiatives and pro-people decisions.Over Pawar’s future, he ruled out possibility of the NCP (SP) chief joining NDA. “There is no point commenting on something that is not going to happen,” he said. He welcomed Fadnavis’ stand on the farm loan waiver, calling it positive development for the state.Bawankule also announced a crackdown on irregularities in the revenue department, saying officials found misusing Section 155 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code to alter land records would face criminal prosecution in addition to suspension. A committee uncovered serious irregularities, including illegal changes in land ownership records, while similar action would be taken against misuse of Section 70(B) in the Konkan region, he said.Govt would hold special revenue camps from July 22, coinciding with Fadnavis’ birthday, with a target of delivering revenue services to nearly 1 million families under Right to Public Services Act, he said.Responding to questions on the CAG report, he defended govt’s spending, saying investments in projects such as Samruddhi Expressway and Shaktipeeth Highway would drive growth.
