Maharashtra BJP Chief Devendra Fadnavis is the final authority: Amit Shah to state BJP leaders

MUMBAI: The winds of change might be blowing in Maharashtra, but many of the BJP’s high-flying leaders might not like the direction in which it is blowing.

BJP Chief Amit Shah recently did some tough talking with the State BJP leaders. He unequivocally told the BJP leaders that State BJP Chief Devendra Fadnavis was the final authority.

That Shah meant business with his backing of Fadnavis could be seen from the slew of decisions taken after he took over as the BJP Chief. While everyone in the BJP expected former State BJP Chief Sudhir Mungantiwar to become the general secretary in the organization revamp. Shah stunned everyone by not including Mungantiwar in it.

A BJP functionary, however, justified the move. "He (Mungantiwar) aspires become to become a minister if the Sena-BJP comes to power, at the same time he was also aiming for the general secretary’s post. You can’t have both," said a BJP leader.

Shah’s no-nonsense approach has apparently created an air of suspense among some big BJP leaders. Vinod Tawde, leader of opposition in the Legislative Council, now wants to contest the assembly polls from Borivali.

However a few 'influential' BJP functionaries are opposed to Tawde contesting as he is already an MLC.

City BJP Chief Ashish Shelar, an MLC who to contest from Bandra faces a similar predicament, though sources said Shelar that goes in his favour is there is no other BJP candidate than him in Bandra.

Interestingly in what could raise eyebrows the one common factor between Mungantiwar, Tawde and Shelar, is their close association to Nitin Gadkari.

"It’s quite clear as to how things are moving, Mungantiwar was ignored in the reshuffle and Poonam Mahajan was brought in, the frosty relations between Poonam’s father Pramod (when he was alive) and Gadkari is well known,"said another BJP leader.