Nitin Gadkari-for-Chief Minister clamour grows in BJP, state

Mumbai: After a big win in the Maharashtra Assembly elections with 122 seats, the post of chief minister has become one of hot topics in the BJP. Despite repeatedly saying that he is not interested in becoming the chief minister, loyalists of Union minister Nitin Gadkari are pitching his name for the top job.

Sudhir Mungantiwar, former state president and close associate of Mr Gadkari on Tuesday openly said that the post should be given to Mr Gadkari. Not only this, around 40 BJP MLAs all from Vidarbha region gathered at Mr Gadkari’s residence in Nagpur to convince him to take up the responsibility.

Mr Mungantiwar said that Mr Gadkari should be appointed the CM of Maharashtra. He added that Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP chief who is considered as a frontrunner for the CM’s post, also wants Mr Gadkari to take the top post.

Mr Mungantiwar even expressed surprise over Mr Gadkari opting out of the CM race. “We are surprised that Mr Gadkari has said he doesn’t want to be in the state. We all demand that he (Mr Gadkari) be the next CM of Maharashtra,” Mr Mungantiwar said. He added that Mr Gadkari should realise that progress in Maharashtra was essential for the nation to prosper.

Meanwhile, as Mr Gadkari landed at Nagpur on Tuesday, around 40 MLAs congregated at his residence at Gadkariwada to persuade him to take the post of CM. BJP MLA Krishna Khopde said they wanted Mr Gadkari to take the job. “We are in politics under his leadership and we fought this election under his leadership, hence we want him to become the chief minister,” Mr Khopde said.

Another MLA Vikar Kumbhare said, “We have requested Gadkariji to become the CM. After listening to us he assured us that he would think over it.”

However, Mr Gadkari insisted that he was happy at the Centre. “I have already announced my decision that I am happy at the Centre. The party will decide the CM,” he said.