All is not well with Maharashtra BJP

All is not well in BJP president Nitin Gadkari’s home state, Maharashtra. Functioning of the state BJP unit is marked with factionalism and a widening rift between Gadkari and the party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gopinath Munde. There is also a lack of direction for its rank and file that could bolster the growth of the party organisation.

Severe differences between Gadkari and Munde have delayed the declaration of a 105-member state executive council, despite the swearing-in of the new president, Sudhir Mungantiwar, two months ago.

A major embarrassment was avoided during the June 10 election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council when party nominee and former minister Shobha Phadnavis won narrowly, defeating Shiv Sena candidate Anil Parab. Despite having 46 members, the party had fielded only two candidates. Munde had made it a prestige issue to get his nephew Dhananjay elected to the state council and had mobilised necessary votes even from smaller parties. Because of the preferential voting, Phadanvis had to struggle.

A former minister, who is member of the BJP’s national executive, told Business Standard: “While Gadkari is busy propagating a theory of ‘nation first, party next and self last’, several leaders in Maharashtra are simply nurturing their personal interests and are busy maintaining their bastions. The state BJP unit is completely without focus or direction. The rift between Gadkari and Munde is increasing day-by-day.”

He said Gadkari, who was appointed as the national president due to his RSS connections, needs to show respect to Munde, who is an OBC leader with a mass following.

Mungantiwar admitted there are differences in the party. He, however, said he was not aware of any differences between the two leaders.

“State executive council will be announced in the next two days. The appointment of presidents of suburban units of Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and Buldhana are still pending, as a consensus has not yet been reached.”

A senior party leader said the BJP leadership was not serious about pursuing the party’s Ekla Chalo policy in Maharashtra. “This is quite visible, as the party still plays second fiddle to Shiv Sena. BJP is still unsure whether to consolidate its position on its own or sever ties with Sena. The dilemma is affecting the party seriously.”