39 MLAs call on Gadkari, some back him for CM post

NAGPUR: As many as 39 newly elected BJP MLAs from Vidarbha who returned from Mumbai by a special flight on Tuesday evening met Union minister Nitin Gadkari at his Mahal residence here, with some expressing their wish to see him back in state politics. Even as this was being viewed as show of strength by many, Gadkari himself and several of the visiting MLAs said it was a courtesy call.State party president and city MLA Devendra Fadnavis, as well as senior leader and Ballarpur MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar stayed back till evening in Mumbai for some work as they are core committee members.
According to some newly-elected MLAs. they pleaded with Gadkari to consider the option of becoming the BJP's first chief minister in the state. "Many of us wanted to show our gratitude to our leader on getting elected. After the election results were announced, we got no chance to meet him since he was in Delhi and we were asked to go to Mumbai for the official meeting with central observers. So when we came to know that he was in Nagpur, we decided to call on him," said Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Kamptee MLA. Several leaders like Mungantiwar have gone on record saying that they would like to see Gadkari as CM.
But then, some of the new legislators said they would personally prefer Gadkari heading the new government at a crucial time when the party failed to get majority verdict and had to depend on either the NCP or the Shiv Sena for propping it up. "We have nothing against Fadnavis, nor are we doubting his capability, but in the given conditions, Gadkari would be a better bet as he is tried and tested. Fadnavis is quite raw to handle the possible complex situation of running a minority government," said a new MLA.
Ashish Deshmukh, first-time MLA from Katol, was more vociferous making a strong case for Gadkari. "He is a seasoned leader and can be more successful with his previous work experience in the state government (1995-99). Also Prime Minister Narendra Modi is particular about results and that Gadkari is better equipped to deliver. He has demonstrated it in Mumbai in his last tenure as PWD minister and recently in Union transport and roads ministry," said Deshmukh.
Gadkari who came here from Delhi couple of hours before the MLAs came calling, reiterated his keenness on continuing in Delhi and not returning to state politics. Asked about MLAs sentiments in his support the senior leader said: "It is for the party's parliamentary board to take a final call and I will accept that decision."
Fadnavis told TOI that MLAs were asked to return home as observers Rajnath Singh and J P Nadda had gone to Haryana to decide the BJP's chief ministerial candidate. He said the legislature party meeting would now be held after Diwali on Sunday.