BJP rejoices as Marathi Manoos Nitin Gadkari takes charge

Having worked as a root-level worker of the party,Gadkari’s journey since his Nagpur days has been a motivation for many party workers and Mathkari added,”This has generated a new energy amongst workers and a feeling that if they work hard,even they can gain respectable positions in the party hierarchy. The appointment has also sent across clear signals that to be a leader in BJP one does not need to belong to a particular family.”

Besides being one of the youngest presidents of the party,Gadkari has also been the first Marathi Manoos to have been appointed the party chief at the Centre and many leaders feel that this will help bring about party- level changes in the state. Mukta Tilak,BJP leader,said,“It is a moment of pride for all of us. I have personally worked with him on two projects and I admire his work- distribution skills. His understanding of Maharashtra politics is vast and this appointment will help the party bring about strategic changes on state level.”

The party claims that a number of projects initiated during the BJP- Sena regime such as the Mumbai- Pune express highway,Katraj- Dehu bypass,over 55 flyovers in Mumbai were the brainchild of Gadkari and that his appointment will create a strong voice for the state at the centre. “Gadkari had recently released his vision document of Maharashtra by 2020 in which he has addressed over 26 issues related to the state that can be effectively tackled by the year 2020. His being at the centre will help convey Maharashtrian voice at the centre,” added Tilak.

Known for his closeness to the RSS,there are speculations that Gadkari’s appointment is triggered by the sangh and that RSS would still remain the party behind the scenes. But the BJP leaders are convinced about Gadkari’s ability to bring about transformation in the party. Kiran Sardeshpande,BJP leader and election in charge for BJP MLA Girish Bapat added,“Gadkari is known for his team spirit and his ability to take everyone together. His views are democratic and nationalistic. Changing the face of the party involves a transformation in the mindset of workers and we feel that he is best suited for the job.”