Maharashtra government’s new rules of business empower Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to override decisions made by any minister, provided the action is deemed in the public interest and the reasons are recorded in writing.
The government views this as an administrative and legal reform. However, politically, it could significantly impact the balance of power between Fadnavis and Shinde.
Given this scenario, questions are being raised in political circles: have these new rules been introduced merely to address a legal loophole, or is the aim also to further strengthen the chief minister’s position within the coalition government? its political implications are far more significant While this may appear to be a change aimed at clarifying administrative procedures. Under the new rules, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been granted explicit authority to intervene in and alter decisions made by any minister if deemed to be in the public interest. the chief minister now possesses a clear, rule-based authority to overturn major or controversial decisions While the primary responsibility for a department remains with the concerned minister. However, when exercising this power, the chief minister will have to record the reasons for the decision in writing. The government views this as an administrative and legal reform. However, politically, it could significantly impact the balance of power between Fadnavis and Shinde.
The Maharashtra government has notified the ‘Maharashtra Government Rules of Business, 2026’. Now, with the 2026 rules, the government has explicitly incorporated this power into the framework. In 2023, the High Court questioned the chief minister’s independent power of intervention, whereas the new ‘Rules of Business’ introduced in 2026 explicitly provide for such intervention.
