Maharashtra has witnessed a nearly threefold rise in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows over the past decade. According to statistics released by the Maharashtra government, FDI in 2015–16 stood at Rs 61,842 crore. This has surged to Rs 1,64,875 crore in the financial year 2024–25, as per data shared by the office of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) — comprising the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP — has repeatedly accused the BJP-led state government of favouring Gujarat over Maharashtra. MVA leaders have often criticised the ruling party, claiming that major investment projects are being diverted to Gujarat, a charge that CM Fadnavis has consistently denied.
State saw a jump of nearly 32 per cent over the Rs 1,25,101 crore received in the previous fiscal year. Representation pic/istock
Now, with the release of the latest FDI figures, the BJP sees this as a strong rebuttal to the Opposition’s allegations. In March this year, during the state budget session, Fadnavis had asserted that Maharashtra continues to lead in attracting FDI in India, despite political rhetoric suggesting otherwise.
In fact, Maharashtra accounted for nearly 40 per cent of India’s total FDI of Rs 4,21,929 crore in 2024–25. The state received Rs 1,64,875 crore this year, a jump of nearly 32 per cent over the Rs 1,25,101 crore received in the previous fiscal year (2023–24).
Calling it the “strongest performance of Maharashtra in a decade,” Fadnavis attributed the achievement to the investor-friendly policies and sustained economic momentum under the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
Battle between Shelar and Thackeray Jr intensifies
With the first rains of the season hitting Mumbai, the political heat is rising in Worli as BJP leader Ashish Shelar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray lock horns. Both leaders have levelled corruption allegations against each other. On Thursday, Mumbai BJP president and minister Ashish Shelar visited Worli, Aaditya Thackeray’s assembly constituency, meeting residents and listening to grievances, particularly those related to the BDD Chawl redevelopment project.Shelar’s visit is being viewed as the Mahayuti’s strategic move to make inroads into Thackeray Jr’s stronghold, aiming to dent the UBT’s voter base ahead of the high-stakes BMC elections expected later this year.
