‘BJP has never coerced anybody from the ruling parties or Opposition to switch sides’: Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan

Q) BJP won 100 seats without a contest in the first phase of elections to the municipal councils. Your rival accuses BJP of political pressure and intimidation. What is your take?

All these are baseless charges levelled by the Opposition, which failed to field candidates against the BJP. If the Opposition believes that the BJP put pressure and intimidated their candidates, why have their candidates not filed any complaint? Why did the opposition party not come forward to express solidarity with such candidates and file a complaint with the State Election Commission or the police station?

Q) Dy CM Eknath Shinde complained against you to Union Minister Amit Shah for poaching their local leaders from Kalyan-Dombivali?

In a coalition, it is natural for any leader to meet central BJP leaders on state issues. I will not comment on what transpired between them. On the poaching issue, let me make it clear that BJP has never coerced anybody from the ruling parties or the Opposition to join us. On the contrary, it was Shiv Sena which first poached BJP leaders/ workers in Ambernath. That practice followed in other places too. If some leaders close to Shinde decided to switch sides to BJP based on our development work, why should anybody raise a hue and cry? Similarly, several Congress, NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have over the years joined BJP because of the leadership of Narendra Modi in Delhi and Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra.

Q) Is BJP not weakening alliance partners?

We have an accommodative leader in Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who believes in taking everybody together. In the last three Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party. It has always upheld coalition dharma. In 2019, it was Uddhav Thackeray who betrayed the BJP. Now, despite a landslide margin, the BJP has given its alliance partners Shiv Sena and NCP their due—both in terms of portfolios and representation in the cabinet. In the last Assembly elections, BJP gave adequate seats to Shiv Sena as well as other candidates.

Q) Does BJP want to contest the elections in 2029 solo?

The strategy and alliance decisions regarding Assembly and Lok Sabha elections for 2029 will be taken by the top brass at the state and the Centre. I cannot make any observations based on some presumptions. As president of a political party, my role is to strengthen the organisation and implement the  programmes given by the Centre and state leadership.

Q) In Konkan region, a Shiv Sena MLA has alleged the misuse of money to bribe voters. What’s your take?

These were irresponsible charges without any substance. If you keep money earned from business in the house, how can it be a crime? Secondly, just because I toured the region the previous day, the MLA linked it to me and BJP. It is absolutely wrong. The Shiv Sena leadership should have admonished the action strongly. In any case, the matter is being investigated as an individual BJP worker has complained to police.

Q) Will BJP contest BMC polls alone?

In principle, BJP has always maintained that we will contest the elections under the Mahayuti banner. Even Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has mentioned BJP will continue pre-poll alliance in municipal corporation polls. But ultimately, the final decision will be taken by the top brass.

Q) How will Uddhav-Raj Thackery unity impact BJP?

Our strength and success lie in the development agenda and strong leadership of Modi-Fadnavis. People have seen their work in Mumbai as well as Maharashtra. I don’t see whipping emotive issues during elections will make any impact on the people in BMC polls. Moreover, those going to vote will also wonder why Uddhav and Raj Thackeray parted and why they have now come together. Unlike others, we don’t talk. We know people will judge us by our work.