The BJP workers feel Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis should become the chief minister. It is natural for the party karyakartas to express their views. There is nothing wrong in it, state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said at Kolhapur on Saturday. Bawankule was interacting with media persons during his ‘Sampark Se Samarthan’ campaign undertaken by party across the state. Responding to speculations about deputy CM Ajit Pawar in CM race, Bawankule said, "Every party feels its leader should become the CM." “The BJP workers believe Fadnavis is the best candidate for CM. They want Fadnavis to become the CM of Maharashtra. It is natural,” Bawankule said. “Similarly, NCP wants Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena wants Eknath Shinde as CM,” he added. However, the final decision is taken by the parliamentary board at the centre. A lot of factors are considered while taking any decision. The current political situation and circumstances are considered. In the past, BJP had handed over CM post to Nitish Kumar despite Janata Dal (U) being smaller compared to BJP in terms of seats in Assembly. Similarly, in Maharashtra, BJP made Eknath Shinde the CM. The BJP workers with 105 MLAs was much bigger party compared to Shiv Sena (Shinde faction)’s 50 MLAs (including 10 independents), Bawankule said. This indicates that the decision is derived on the current political situation. Commenting on the party's preparation for 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, Bawankule said, “We have already launched Mahavijay 2024. Under this campaign, we are going for door-to-door campaign." The welfare schemes of the Centre under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and state government's schemes under CM Eknath Shinde, deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are being impressed upon the people. Our workers at booth levels are connecting and communicating with people and informing about the good schemes. While exuding confidence of BJP returning to power in 2024 polls, Bawankule said, “We are confident that BJP along with its alliance partner Shiv Sena (Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar) will emerge victorious. Our aim is to ensure 51 per cent vote share in every Lok Sabha and Assembly constituency. The BJP has embarked on an expansion programme. Anybody willing to associate with party is welcome. At the same time, the BJP is also ensuring its committed old loyal leaders and workers are not neglected. “When leaders from other parties join BJP, it is bound to trigger some uncertainty among local loyal leaders. But their apprehensions are addressed through dialogue,” he said. Our party leaders are mature and they exactly know the working of top leadership, he stressed. The BJPs priority is to seek bigger mandate in 2024 and ensure return of Modi's at Centre. The split in NCP and Shiv Sena that reduced Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray parties to minorities is an outcome of in-house disorder. “Sharad Pawar should do introspection as to why his party has been reduced to such situation. If there is any differences in party or family, who is responsible? What led to split in party?” a seasoned and shrewd leader like Sharad Pawar should reflect and analyze instead of accusing BJP for its downfall, he said.
