Kolhapur MLC Chandrakant Patil may succeed Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra BJP chief

MUMBAI: BJP MLC from Kolhapur Chandrakant Patil is tipped to replace Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra BJP President after he assumes chief ministership on October 31.

"Patil's elevation could come within a day or two of the swearing-in of the new BJP government at the Wankhede Stadium here in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," a party leader said.

BJP President Amit Shah had launched his poll campaign for the October 15 Assembly polls from Kolhapur, which also happens to be the place where his in-laws hail from.

With deep roots in RSS, Patil enjoys good rapport with the Sangh Parivar.

Sources close to him said he preferred the organisational post over handling a ministry in the Fadnavis-led government and would like to be the bridge between the party organisation and government.

With reports of BJP Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar likely to be given a ministerial berth, the Mumbai party chief's post may also fall vacant.

Vile Parle MLA Parag Alavani's name is doing the rounds as probable replacement for Shelar as Mumbai BJP chief.