State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule has urged party workers to get into action mode to ensure Prime Minister Narendra Modi gets re-elected for a third term with a greater mandate in the Lok Sabha elections. Bawankule was addressing a meeting of booth workers at Bhandara district in Vidarbha region on Monday. During the interaction, Bawankule also drew their attention to the Assembly elections in the state in October next year. “Along with Lok Sabha polls, we also have to make concerted efforts to consolidate our electoral base at grassroots level through booth workers in the state,” he said. “The Assembly elections will take place in October 2024. A new government will come to power in the state by November 30. Last time, the swearing-in was at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. So, let me know who your choice for CM will be?” he asked. At this point, the workers raised their hands and unanimously said, “Our next CM is Devendra Fadnavis.” Insiders in the BJP said, “Our focus is to get maximum seats in Lok Sabha. After that we will focus on Assembly elections wholeheartedly.” There is no question of projecting any candidate for CM. Both the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls will be contested under Shinde's leadership in Maharashtra, they said. Referring to party workers' wish to see Fadnavis as the next CM, a senior party functionary said, “Every party would like to pitch for its leader as next CM. Nothing unusual in it. It also helps to galvanise the organisation.” However, he argued, “The final decision on CM will be taken based on election results and circumstances during that time. It is the central leadership's jurisdiction.”
