Talks in BJP to replace Fadnavis: Sena MP; party rejects claim

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut today said there are "talks within the BJP" to replace Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the backdrop of the ongoing Maratha quota stir which has turned violent.

"(BJP president) Amit Shah and (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi will take the final decision on changing the leadership in the state. But there is talk within BJP of changing the chief minister," Raut told reporters here.

Fadnavis, sworn in as the chief minister in October 2014, is under flak from Maratha quota protesters and the opposition parties who have accused the state government of dilly-dallying on the demands of the Maratha community.

The present situation in the state is "worrying" and the BJP-led state government has been "unable to tackle" it, Raut said.

Two senior BJP ministers rubbished Raut's claim, saying there was no talk within BJP of replacing Fadnavis.

Revenue minister Chandrakant Patil said, "There is no reason to replace the chief minister. The Chief Minister is much more in favour of giving Marathas reservation than even I am."
Dismissing Raut's claim, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "Both the government and chief minister are doing a fine job and are stable. There are no problems within the party. This is just rumour-mongering by the Sena."