10/22/2014 Jolt for Devendra Fadnavis as 44 MLAs back Nitin Gadkari as Maharashtra Chief Minister | The Indian Express

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The divide in Maharashtra BJP came out in the open with forty of the 44 Vidarbha
MLAs requesting Nitin Gadkari to take over as Maharashtras Chief Minister, in the
process giving a big jolt to the process of annointing Devendra Fadnavis as Chief
Minister.
The MLAs came together aboard a flight from Mumbai to Nagpur on Tuesday
evening and headed straight to Gadkaris residence and urged him to take over as
CM.
Being seen as natural extension of the much-speculated Gadkari-Fadnavis
(Devendra) turf war in Nagpur, which the two leaders have always denied,
Tuesdays gathering at Gadkaris place has brought the division out in the open
beyond any doubt.
The MLAs even shouted slogans, Maharashtra ka mukhyamantri kaisa ho, Nitin
Gadkari jaisa ho (Maharashtra needs a CM like Gadkari).
Jolt for Devendra Fadnavis as 44 MLAs back Nitin
Gadkari as Maharashtra Chief Minister
Written by Vivek Deshpande | Nagpur | October 21, 2014 9:31 pm
Gadkari sought to play down saying, it is their love for me that has prompted them to urge me to
become CM'.
10/22/2014 Jolt for Devendra Fadnavis as 44 MLAs back Nitin Gadkari as Maharashtra Chief Minister | The Indian Express
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The development has brought out the much-speculated turf war in Nagpur (between Nitin
Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis) out in open beyond any doubt. (Source: PTI photo)

Former party state unit chief Sudhir Mungantiwar, a close Gadkari aide and third
name in contention for the post, however, wasnt present.
Gadkari sought to play down the development saying, it is their love for me that has
prompted them to urge me to become CM. But I have repeatedly said I am not
interested in returning to state and that I want to do good work in my present
assignment at Delhi. The CM will be chosen by the parliamentary party.
But with almost entire flank of Vidarbha party MLAs throwing their lot behind
Gadkari, it has become clear as to who calls the shots in
Maharashtra BJP. Some of the MLAs even spoke independently to the media saying
thay want Gadkari to take over since Maharashtra needs able leadership.
Asked if that meant Fadnavis was not able, a first-time MLA said, no, we mean
Gadkari is experienced and more able.
When pointed out that a section of the BJP feels that Gadkari the Centre that needs
a result-oriented Minister like Gadkari, the MLA said, thats fine, but what about our
feelings?
Sources in the party said, Gadkari is really not interested in becoming CM but with
this show of strength, he has made it clear, who calls the shots in Maharashtra and
that he will continue to have his stranglehold over Maharashtra despite his being at
Centre.
Talks on with Sena: Gadkari
Talking to journalists at his residence, Gadkari also said, talks are on with the Shiv
Sena for government formation and we are hoping that
something positive will come out of it.