Is there a systematic plan to sideline Nitin Gadkari? Nitin Gadkari, a former national president of the BJP, has been pushed to the margins within the party. First, he is not part of the inner core of the party at the national level. Most decisions are taken by Modi and Shah. Nitin Gadkariâs role in the central Cabinet has also been brought down. In Modi 1.0, he was incharge of all kinds of transport. This time around, his role has been limited to surface transport only. Also, there was no role for Nitin Gadkari in the ticket distribution in the just-concluded Maharashtra assembly elections. He found it difficult to get tickets for his trusted lieutenants like Sudhir Mungantiwar and Bawankule. He was also not given the star campaigner status. His campaign was largely limited to the Vidarbha region.
Now, the latest is that he could be made the BJPâs chief ministerial candidate in Maharashtra. Since no party has got an absolute majority and ally Shiv Sena is playing hard ball, there is a suggestion that Nitin Gadkari known to be close to Shiv Sena establishment and a suave negotiator, would be asked to take over reins of Maharashtra. Sources also indicated that Shiv Sena has no objection to Nitin Gadkari. As per the plan, a young Devendra Fadnavis would be made a central minister and would be groomed for a bigger role at the national level, while senior politician Nitin Gadkari would be shifted from the Centre to the state.
This scheme will ensure that Nitin Gadkari, now being seen as a possible successor to Modi by virtue of his seniority, would be tied to local state level politics. This will effectively remove him from the national politics. This will pave way for Amit Shah to become the successor to Modi after 2024. Seniors like Rajnath Singh would be retired and those like Nitin Gadkari would be sent to the states. That would make the decks clear for Amit Shah to take over from Modi, when the latter retires.
Now, the latest is that he could be made the BJPâs chief ministerial candidate in Maharashtra. Since no party has got an absolute majority and ally Shiv Sena is playing hard ball, there is a suggestion that Nitin Gadkari known to be close to Shiv Sena establishment and a suave negotiator, would be asked to take over reins of Maharashtra. Sources also indicated that Shiv Sena has no objection to Nitin Gadkari. As per the plan, a young Devendra Fadnavis would be made a central minister and would be groomed for a bigger role at the national level, while senior politician Nitin Gadkari would be shifted from the Centre to the state.
This scheme will ensure that Nitin Gadkari, now being seen as a possible successor to Modi by virtue of his seniority, would be tied to local state level politics. This will effectively remove him from the national politics. This will pave way for Amit Shah to become the successor to Modi after 2024. Seniors like Rajnath Singh would be retired and those like Nitin Gadkari would be sent to the states. That would make the decks clear for Amit Shah to take over from Modi, when the latter retires.