Girish Mahajan explained on Saturday why the four heavyweights were denied a ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections but stopped short of giving their exact marks and the upper and lower limits considered for nomination.
Veteran leaders Eknath Khadse, Vinod Tawde, energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Balasaheb Sanap from Nashik were denied a ticket by the party because they failed to make the passing score in Bharatiya Janata Party's internal survey. Though their exact marks have not been revealed, it has been indicated that they made less than 75.
Water resources minister Girish Mahajan explained on Saturday why the four heavyweights were denied a ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections but stopped short of giving their exact marks and the upper and lower limits considered for nomination. Mahajan, who is the guardian minister of Nashik district, visited the city for damage control measures and to calm the roused supporters of the leaders. He assured that the party declared nominations based on the internal survey and not by taking money or other favours.
Mahajan's statement comes a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' press conference where he said that the leaders had not been denied tickets; just their roles were changed. He hinted that as far as the party is concerned, that chapter is over. The leaders too said they would be dutiful workers and follow the leadership's directions.
A state general secretary, told DNA, "Party president Amit Shah in his interactions with ministers, legislators and MPs over the last two years, had categorically said that they are being rated based on their performance with regard to efforts to strengthen the party organisation, induction of voters from various sections of society and their character in general. They were tasked with reaching out to first-time voters and youth by taking up a slew of projects at the central and state level and undertake development projects.
Those who have scored 75 and above were considered for nomination and those who did not fair well missed the boat.'' Further, it was also noted whether the ministers, legislators and MPs had strictly followed the party's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
Mahajan referred to Bawankule's statement, made earlier this week in Nagpur, that he had had been denied a ticket despite scoring 74 marks on the internal survey. However, despite his proximity to union minister Bawankule, the party was reportedly not happy on his handling of the Energy ministry. The state distribution company's arrears had increased to over Rs 30,000 crore and Bawankule is believed to have offered help to a private generator in return for remuneration.
Khadse, a leading OBC leader, had worked for BJP's growth in north Maharashtra since 1990. However, he had to step down in 2016 in the wake of corruption charges. In the case of Tawde, the party bosses reportedly were not happy over his performance as the minister for school education. As far as party legislator Balasaheb Sanap from Nashik East is concerned, he was under the party's radar especially after BJP-sponsored Shivaji Sahane lost the election to state legislative council.
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- Girish Mahajan indicated that Eknath Khadse, Vinod Tawde, Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Balasaheb Sanap made less than 75 marks, and thus were denied a poll ticket
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