Loss of face awaits bickering biggies - Munde and Gadkari

The conflict between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari and deputy leader of the Lok Sabha Gopinath Munde has turned into a personality clash, where neither is willing to back down.

The central core committee is making serious attempts to salvage the situation to retain Munde even as the Gadkari camp has adopted an aggressive posturing. Some even allegedly advocated to Gadkari: “Let us for once get rid of Munde’s nuisance and rebuilt the organisation.”

The hardliners are also of the view that they should not bother about how these developments will alter their relations with the Shiv Sena. Suggesting covert understanding with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena cannot be lost sight of in extreme situation in the state elections.

Notwithstanding the outcome of the clash it is going to be a loss of face for both Gadkari and Munde within the party. If Munde were to join the Congress, it would indicate the failure of the top leadership to retain its mass leader in Maharashtra.

While it is true that Munde may not enjoy the same stature in any other party, his ability to cause damage to the BJP in the state cannot be undermined.

And in the successive elections it will be Gadkari who will have to give an explanation. On the other hand, Munde’s exit would ensure a smooth ride for Gadkari as second rung leadership, who are engaged in the collective decision making, are his close associates.

It would become easy for Gadkari to wield control on state BJP president Sudhir Mungantiwar, general secretary Vinod Tawde and leader of the opposition in the state legislature assembly Eknath Khadse.

Except for Khadse, who is perceived close to Munde, both Tawde and Mungantiwar share good relations with Gadkari. There are the quiet operators, such as Raghunath Kulkarni, who act as bridge between the BJP and RSS, who will also play significant role in consolidating the party under Gadkari’s leadership.

The undisputed backing from the RSS will consolidate Gadkari’s position in the state as well at the Centre. However, a lot remains to be seen how many elected members in the state assembly will actually follow Munde if he were to take an extreme step to quit.

The current strength of BJP in the state assembly is 46. The stringent anti-defection laws also could be a hurdle for MLAs to switch sides as they would lose their memberships.