Deputy Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis made it clear that his party will not support Nationalist Congress Party leader Nawab Malik in the upcoming Assembly polls in Maharashtra. Fadnavis emphasized that Malik would not have a place in the government if the ruling alliance returns to power. During a press conference at the BJP’s Nariman Point office, Fadnavis also mentioned efforts to secure support for Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray’s son, Amit Thackeray, in Mahim.
Fadnavis mentioned that leaders from three parties have come up with a formula to address the issue of cross-nomination by allies in certain constituencies. Efforts have been made to convince rebels to withdraw their nominations, including speaking to Gopal Shetty. Fadnavis expressed confidence in reaching a consensus within the ruling alliance regarding Amit Thackeray’s candidacy in Mahim.
Despite the NCP’s decision to field Nawab Malik from Mankhurd-Shivajinagar, Fadnavis reiterated that the BJP would not campaign for him under any circumstances. Instead, the party will support the Shiv Sena candidate in that constituency. Fadnavis made it clear that there is no possibility of Malik being part of the government formed by the Mahayuti alliance after the election.
Addressing Raj Thackeray’s suggestion that he would become Maharashtra’s next chief minister, Fadnavis diplomatically stated that the next CM would be from the Mahayuti alliance and not specifically from the BJP. The press conference also saw the formal induction of Ravi Raja, a five-term corporator in the Mumbai civic body, into the BJP. Raja, who joined the BJP after being denied an Assembly ticket from Sion-Koliwada by Congress, was appointed as the party’s vice president.
Raja expressed his commitment to work tirelessly for the BJP, stating that he had joined the party without any preconditions. He highlighted his 44 years of service to Congress but felt that his experience and knowledge were not utilized effectively by the party. Raja expressed confidence that the Mahayuti alliance would come back to power in the state.
In conclusion, Fadnavis’s statements reaffirm the BJP’s stance on supporting specific candidates in the Maharashtra Assembly polls and highlight ongoing efforts to strengthen the ruling alliance. The induction of Ravi Raja into the party signifies a strategic move to bolster the BJP’s presence in Mumbai politics. The upcoming elections in Maharashtra are shaping up to be a closely contested battle between various political parties vying for power in the state.
