Maharashtra politics may also experience the winds of change any time soon. There is growing speculation within the BJP that the party will soon announce its new national president.
Talking about the names of potential candidates, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as a prominent frontrunner in the race for the BJP’s national president. If Fadnavis is officially announced as the new president, it could signify a major transformation in Maharashtra’s political landscape. However, the party is also considering several other notable figures for the role, including Vinod Tawde, Sunil Bansal, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Bhupendra Yadav. These discussions reflect ongoing deliberations within the BJP as it plans its next leadership move.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly engaged in discussions with senior party leaders and RSS officials about this crucial decision several time. Maharashtra also stands significant for BJP owing to its comparatively weaker stand here. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as a leading contender for the role, suggesting a potential shift in Maharashtra’s political dynamics.
However, the situation is further complicated by internal party politics and upcoming state elections. Vinod Tawde, a current general secretary from Maharashtra, is also considered a strong candidate due to his alignment with the party’s caste considerations. Despite this, discussions are leaning towards alternative scenarios.
Additionally, the political landscape in Maharashtra is currently tense due to statements from various leaders. The BJP appears to be on the back foot against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. While experts believe Uddhav Thackeray is unlikely to break away from the Congress alliance, political dynamics are unpredictable.
Thackeray’s recent remarks about Devendra Fadnavis—questioning whether Fadnavis will remain in Maharashtra or leave—hint at underlying tensions. Previously, Thackeray sought the Chief Minister’s position, which led to a power struggle. Despite becoming Chief Minister with Congress and NCP support, BJP’s maneuvering altered the political balance.
The situation now mirrors the 2019 political environment, with internal strife in the MVA coalition over seat allocation and leadership. Thackeray aims to secure the Chief Ministerial position and retain 124 seats, while Congress demands 140 to 145 seats out of the 288 available in the assembly and prefers postponing the announcement of their candidate.
Uddhav Thackeray has two choices: either align with the BJP now to secure a Chief Ministerial position—something the BJP would likely support—or wait until after the elections. If the BJP appoints Devendra Fadnavis to a new role in Delhi, it would signal Thackeray to reconsider his stance. A shift by Thackeray could reshape Maharashtra’s political landscape and bolster the NDA. The crucial question is whether the BJP leadership will promote Fadnavis, which could significantly impact Maharashtra’s political dynamics.
Given the upcoming elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, the BJP faces a strategic dilemma. The party is contemplating two primary options: appointing an acting president immediately or allowing the current president, JP Nadda, to continue in his role until after these critical elections. Nadda’s term officially ended on June 30, but he has remained in office due to the lack of a successor.
The BJP plans to announce its new national president or acting president in a way that supports its election strategy for the upcoming polls. With Haryana’s elections being directly contested by the BJP, and Jharkhand and Maharashtra crucial for alliance politics, the choice of president is critical. Maharashtra, in particular, is a key focus due to its political significance and ongoing discussions about the right leader for this important period.
