Close aide of Chief Minister Fadnavis, MLC Sandip Joshi announces political retirement

Joshi, 55, said it was necessary to vacate space for younger leadership. Acknowledging the role the Bharatiya Janata Party played in shaping his political career, he announced his decision while seeking forgiveness from senior leaders, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, internal party sources suggested that there had been discontent among some of Joshi’s close aides after they were denied candidature in recent elections. Several office-bearers from Ward 16 had also resigned after candidature was offered to BJP workers who were not locals.

Talking to The Indian Express, BJP Nagpur city chief and former Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari said, “The rumours about the internal conflict are baseless. There is nothing of that sort. Sandip ji still has many years ahead of him to work in social and public life. He should reconsider his decision. He has submitted his letter announcing political retirement, but it has not been accepted yet. The decision on whether to accept it or not does not rest with us alone. Since he is an MLC, the state executive will take a call on it. No acceptance has been granted so far. He has merely expressed his desire to step back. We will try to persuade him that he should not distance himself from public life at such a time.”