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NEW DELHI: Victory in Maharashtra has acquired a bitter-sweet edge to it for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah with RSS backed Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari flexing his muscles in the state. In an almost orchestrated sign of his popularity 40 BJP legislators rushed to his residence at Nagpur to pledge loyalty and urge him to become the chief minister of the state.
Gadkari graciously accepted the homage, and declared that he had a position of responsibility at the centre and was not willing to become the Chief Minister. And that a final decision would be taken by the party high command. The media has already placed him in the ring, however, with reports suggesting that he could be the next Chief Minister. Gadkari is expected to meet the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and others in Nagpur on October 25 after which a final decision will be taken.
Gadkari has always been a RSS protegee along with Minister Rajnath Singh. Both have been BJP presidents with the RSS mandate despite some opposition from within, by the party seniors. Interestingly both Gadkari and Singh are not seen as close to PM Modi or Shah who are keen to bring Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister in Maharashtra. Fadnavis has developed a close relationship with Shah, with even the Prime Minister speaking in laudatory terms about him during the election campaign. He described him as “Nagpur’s gift to the nation”, words that were taken as an indicator by the party of his decided preference for Fadnavis.
Gadkari’s hat in the ring has thus created some concern, with the RSS now becoming a direct player in choosing the chief minister for Maharashtra. Fadnavis might not be acceptable to the Shiv Sena, and Gadkari could emerge as a RSS backed consensus candidate. He has spoken of staying in the Cabinet but sources pointed out that he is not particularly happy in Delhi with all major decisions being taken by the Prime Ministers Office. And would not at all be averse to heading Maharashtra that is home to big business as well.
Rajnath Singh and BJP general secretary JP Nadda who was in the running for BJP President at one time are expected to hold the meeting of party legislators in Mumbai on October 26 to decide the chief minister. Gadkari is seen as a more seasoned politician as against Fadnavis who has not been in government.
The lobbying for Gadkari has begun. The dash to Nagpur by the 40 legislators clearly brought him into the picture as a contender. And now his aide and former Maharashtra BJP chief Sudhir Mungantiwar endorsing the Union Minister for the post with, “every leader and worker of the BJP wants Gadkari to return to the state. He would make a perfect CM.” Mungantiwar said that Gadkari would make a perfect CM. Speculation is rife that the RSS would prefer Gadkari to control Maharashtra, seen as a crucial state, and not a novice like Fadnavis particularly as this has been a major victory for the BJP that has got 122 seats in these Assembly polls.
All, however, are conscious that PM Modi’s high voltage campaign was largely responsible for the victory and hence it remains to be seen to what extent the RSS can defy his wishes. Reports suggest that he will not support Gadkari over Fadnavis. However, for now the RSS is the arbiter and will take a decision after Diwali on this increasingly contentious issue.
A decision has also to be taken by the BJP whether to go with the Shiv Sena and unite the saffron parties, or accept the support extended by the Nationalist Congress party. Discussions have already been held on this issue, with Gadkari clearly favouring a close alliance with the Sena over and above the NCP. The Sena has sent out some feelers now, although many in the BJP do not feel this is enough to counter its aggressive anti-BJP stance during the Assembly elections.
In the 288-member Assembly, the BJP and allies secured 123 seats, the Shiv Sena got 63, Congress party 42, the NCP 41 and the remaining seats were bagged by either independents or smaller and regional parties. The BJP needs 145 seats to form the government, and has been contacting the 18 Independents as well for their support.
