Get ready for mid-term polls, says ex-minister

Mumbai: Former revenue minister Eknath Khadse on Tuesday asked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers to be ready for mid-term polls in the state. “It could happen in December or along with the Lok Sabha elections,” he said. This is the first time a senior BJP leader has spoken about the possibility of mid-term polls in the state. Till now, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the party’s state chief Raosaheb Danve have insisted that the state government will complete its five-year tenure. Mr Khadse’s statement has set the political circles abuzz.

Mr Khadse was speaking to party workers in Dhule, North Maharashtra. “Be ready for elections. They could be in coming December or later at the time of general election. It will be good to be prepared for any eventuality,” said Mr Khadse.

The BJP is planning booth-level programmes to strengthen the party at the grass-roots level. Mr Khadse’s was addressing party workers in such a function. He told them not to rest as BJP is yet to reach many more milestones. Mr Khadse said, “Do not slow down in party work, thinking that elections are not there around the corner. Do not think so. Elections could be in coming December. Be prepared for mid-term polls. Elections could be held along with the Lok Sabha polls also.”

Of late, there has been a buzz in political circles that the BJP leadership, upset with what is sees as “tantrums” thrown by ally Shiv Sena, could decide to snap the alliance and go for Assembly elections. There have been reports that BJP carried out an internal survey about the possibility of holding snap elections and that it revealed the party would be in a comfortable position if elections were held now.  It is also being rumoured in BJP circles that the high command has given full authority to Mr Fadnavis to decide on the party’s relationship with Sena.