Maharashtra polls: Nitin Gadkari among top claimants for CM's post in BJP

MUMBAI: With its seat-sharing issue finally decided, the BJP will find itself grappling with an entirely different issue if it becomes the single largest party after the October 15 Maharashtra assembly polls.

The BJP currently has around half-a-dozen leaders who fancy themselves as future CM and there could be a free-for-all among these leaders if the party comes to power. Among the top contenders for the post is current Union Minister for Transport Nitin Gadkari. While Gadkari has been denying that he has any CM ambitions, sources in the BJP said his statements were only for public consumption.

For Gadkari though, it will not be smooth sailing, as the move would need the nod of BJP Chief Amit Shah. And, the latter seems has indicated his preference by strengthening the hands of state BJP Chief Devendra Fadnavis.