Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday told a gathering of young people in Nagpur that the power of India's democracy and Constitution allowed an ordinary individual to rise to the state's highest office, drawing a parallel with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's journey.

Speaking at the "Manthan 4 Yuva" programme aimed at Gen Z, Mr. Fadnavis said, "It isn't easy; our Constitution has given democracy in this country. The beauty of this democracy is that someone like Devendra Fadnavis, who might never even have imagined becoming a corporator, reached the post of chief minister, or the boy who sold tea at a railway station in Gujarat became the country's Prime Minister."

He added that it is the power of India's Constitution, the strength of India's democracy, and the strength of the country's youth that make such journeys possible.

Personal journey and political rise

During a question-and-answer session, Mr. Fadnavis recalled his early days in politics, saying, "When I entered politics, I did so inspired only by ideas." He described a time when his party was in opposition, saying, "We used to think we were born to do politics as the Opposition. We used to stage movements every day. We used to fight daily. But somehow the public showed faith, and step by step, climbing one rung at a time, one day I got the responsibility of being Maharashtra's chief minister."

He said that politics is an instrument for socio-economic change.

Recalling the Ram Janmabhoomi movement

The chief minister also spoke about his involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, recalling that he spent 18 days in Badaun central jail at the age of 20. He described the experience, saying, "I went to Prayagraj from there I went toward Ayodhya. That was one of the first times I saw how speeches and rhetoric work. We were fired on, beaten with sticks, and arrested."

He further said, "And when the Babri Masjid structure was demolished in 1992, I was there. I am very proud of that."

Support for startups and youth

Addressing questions about nurturing startups, Mr. Fadnavis said the government has prepared a policy for the startup ecosystem, set up funds, created incubation centres, and is now decentralising them. He assured support to young entrepreneurs, stating, "Any child from a tier-3 city who has an idea and wants to transform it into a commercial product will get full help and 100 per cent support."

Advice on screen time

When asked about the use of screens and technology, the chief minister advised moderation, saying, "Being on screen isn't entirely wrong... But there has to be a balance."

Political context

The event comes at a time when political parties are intensifying efforts to reach out to Gen Z voters ahead of upcoming elections. The outreach to the younger generation reflects a strategic shift across the political spectrum as thousands of Gen Z and first-time voters join the electoral rolls, with parties increasingly relying on youth-focused conclaves, digital campaigns, and targeted policy messaging to engage a demographic that prioritises career growth, startup support, and transparent governance.