Will he or won't he? The Vijaya Dashami Sanchalan at RSS headquarters in Nagpur was in media glare for one more reason this time. Whether, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was the RSS' poster boy to Maharashtra's top post, continue to attend the function in khaki shorts, white shirt, belt and cap, as he used to attend all these years. And he did, becoming the first Maharashtra chief minister to do so.
Giving the chief minister company was Union minister Nitin Gadkari, and the chief minister sat through the entire programme for more than two hours. He also offered the traditional salute by folding right hand on the chest and bowing down during the RSS salute call. Neeti Aayog member and defence scientist VK Saraswat was the chief guest on the occasion. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the Swayamsevaks for almost an hour.
Fadnavis, a staunch swayamsevak, used to attend the daily RSS shakha near his home in Dharampeth area of Nagpur. Fadnavis was present right from start of the sanchalan which also featured a march-past in the city. Chief minister, however, refused to speak to media after the programme. This is because, as per tradition the RSS chief, the Sarsanghachalak, alone addresses the swayamsevaks on the occasion.
