The BJP hasn't yet chosen its chief minister candidate; however, a cold war has already ensued over the issue among senior state leaders and CM aspirants in the party. These leaders feel let down despite having been loyal to the party for several years and having the tacit support of elected legislators. There are several party leaders in the race for the chief minister's chair. These include Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis, former opposition leader Eknath Khadse, Vinod Tawade and Sudhir Mungantiwar.
Who's the front-runner?
Devendra Fadnavis, is a Brahamin and close to the RSS, and is touted as the front runner. He's a good orator and is knowledgeable. He is also close to prime minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. The 44-year-old Fadnavis, however, does not have any ministerial experience nor the support of the majority of elected BJP legislators.
One of the CM aspirants from Vidarbha told dna that senior party leaders and the parliamentary board should consult all the 123 BJP legislators before entrusting the big responsibility (of the state) to anyone.
MLAs against Delhi imposing CM on them
"The CM should not be imposed on us like it used to be done by the Congress party. Modi and Amit Shah should follow the democratic way. Legislators' 'say' is important. Otherwise, real mass leader and experienced people will be left out from the selection process. It would also send the wrong signal that our culture is not different from that of the Congress. It will lead to group politics in the state BJP unit. Senior leaders should be chosen for the top post so they would not feel humiliated having to work under juniors," he said.
A Brahmin party?
Another senior leader said choosing Fadnavis would send the wrong message that in BJP only Brahmins get top jobs.
"From Maharashtra, Gadkari and Prakash Javdekar, both Brahmins, were given important portfolios in the Union ministry. Now, they want to appoint Fadnavis as the chief minister. So people in BJP would think only Brahmins would be given coveted posts in the government. As a result, non-Brahmins, who toiled hard to get the numbers in the assembly, would be disappointed and may desert the party sooner or later. Fadnavis is too young to handle a government with such a fractured mandate, where we may have to take the support of Sena and NCP. A Bahujan and experienced face should be chosen as the chief minister to keep the party intact. BJP has already been painted a Brahmin-Baniya party, and by imposing a Brahmin CM, people's doubts and perceptions of the party would be confirmed. Moreover, Congress and NCP would make this a big political issue in the land of progressive thinkers like Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar," said a BJP leader.
Senior contenders
Gadkari: Union minister Nitin Gadkari, 58, the front runner for the CM's post, is close to the RSS. Gadkari was the public works dept minister in the state and his stint is known for construction of various bridges in Mumbai, and the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. He has the support of most of the legislators from Vidarbha.
Mungantiwar: Sudhir Mungantiwar, 51, is a senior leader and legislator, and has served as a minister in the 1995-1999 Sena-BJP govt. He belongs to Komthi community, and is close to Gadkari. Gadkari has been pitching for Mumgantiwar, however Modi is keen on either Gadkari or Fadnavis as CM.
Khadse: Eknath Khadse, 62, started his political career as a sarpanch and was the finance and irrigation minister in 1995-'99 govt. He's considered one of the eligible faces, and has the backing of legislators from north Maharashtra and Marathwada. However, he hasn't been sounded for the CM's post by senior leaders, and hence lost ground in the last week.
Tawde: Vinod Tawde, 51, the Maratha face of BJP, is one of the contenders. He initially tried to lobby, but was left of the race, and is now planning to back someone senior to him.
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