Leaders lobbying for BJP president post

Leaders from Bharatiya Janata Party have started lobbying for the post of party’s Mumbai wing president as sitting president Ashish Shelar’s term is on the verge of coming to an end. Two heavyweights, Yogesh Sagar and Parag Alavani, are in contention as the possible replacement; however, Manisha Chaudhari would be the dark horse for the position.

As usual party legislator from Charkop, Yogesh Sagar and another legislator Parag Alavani from Vile Parle are among the aspirants for the president’s post. Mr Sagar is popular among Gujarati voters of the party whereas Mr Alavani is the Marathi face of the party.

A senior party leader on condition of anonymity said the party would want a Marathi face who could deal with Shiv Sena diplomatically and not aggressively like Mr Shelar. He claimed chief minister Devendra Fadnavis does not want to disturb the alliance with Shiv Sena in the upcoming BMC election, which could affect the equations in the state government. “At this time, CM does not want to sacrifice power in the state by provoking the Sena. CM is not satisfied with Mr Shelar and his aggressiveness against the Sena,” said the leader.

However, Atul Shah, the party spokesperson, said that the BMC election will be an opportunity to spread the party base across the city and hence, aggressiveness will be needed against the Shiv Sena.

“Congress’ Mumbai president is uttar Bharatiya (North Indian) while NCP’s president is Marathi. Though uttar Bharatiya pockets are in Kandivali, Bandra, Sion and other parts of the island city, BJP will need a Marathi face to stand up to Shiv Sena,” the leader said.

“Mr Alavani is very polite. But his abilities to raise the fund which is the basic need in any election could be a big concern. Further, his wife rebelled in the 2012 BMC election and that could also go against him.”

“Manisha Chaudhari, party legislator from Dahisar, would be dark horse as she is a woman and Marathi,” the leader said.

Meanwhile, Mr Shelar said he was not interested in a second term. “I have been the president for three years now and I am satisfied with my performance,” said Mr Shelar.