BJP’s big Maharashtra worry
The BJP high command continues to be worried about retaining
Maharashtra even after installing the Eknath Shinde-led coalition government.
The BJP’s prime objective is to break the backbone of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv
Sena. Union Home Minister Amit Shah minced no words to make BJP’s intention
clear when he visited Mumbai recently. He roared that Uddhav remained enemy
number one. Surprisingly, Uddhav opted to maintain studied silence. The BJP is aware that the ensuing BMC election
will be the first major test of newly formed government. At least two internal surveys in Mumbai conducted by the BJP are not encouraging. It
is in this background that the BJP is working on various permutations and combinations
to pass the BMC hurdle. One suggestion under consideration right now is that
MNS leader Raj Thackeray be made part of the coalition. The formula is that MNS
and Eknath Shinde factions be merged into one entity and Raj Thackeray be given
a key role. Shinde and Raj Thackeray visited each other’s residences for Ganesh
pooja indicating growing bon-homie. While Shinde will continue to lead the
government, Raj Thackeray may be made its head. Raj Thackeray is crowd puller
and an orator par excellence and can galvanize Sena cadre. Raj Thackeray’s son
may be brought in as MLC and minister while Shinde’s son be inducted in the
Union ministry at a later date. In the event of this proposal not succeeding, BJP-Shinde-MNS
can come to a workable understanding to fight the BMC polls together. The BJP
is aware of political consequences of any adverse outcome of BMC elections. The first proposal has many hurdles and needs fine-tuning.
It transpires that Eknath Shinde may visit the national Capital to
discuss various options.
Rising graph of Vinod Tawade
Maharashtra’s senior
BJP leader Vinod Tawade was once a serious contender for the Chief Minister’s
post in 2014. But he missed the bus and Devendra Fadnavis was handed over the
command of the BJP-Sena government. Tawde had to remain content as a minister
in the coalition government. The worst came in 2019 when he was denied a party
ticket at the last moment and forced to cool his heels outside. But he
never lost his patience and maintained a low profile. It took the high command
one year to bring him to Delhi and make BJP’s secretary. One more year went by
and he was promoted as General Secretary in November 2021. This was a big
promotion which raised many eyebrows. The central leadership assigned the role
of Chief coordinator to Tawde to elicit support for President Droupadi Murmu.
He along with five other Chief coordinators traveled extensively to seek
support for Murmu. He made his mark as incharge of Haryana and was rewarded
with the most crucial state of Bihar. Along with Tawde, two other leaders
belonging to Maharashtra also got party work indicating that the western state
continues to be BJP’s big challenge. If Prakash Javadekar was given the charge
of Kerala, Pankaja Munde made Sah-prabhari of Madhya Pradesh. These steps
are part of BJP’s larger plans aimed at winning the BMC polls.
The BJP high command
wants leaders to close ranks and recent changes are part of this exercise.
Secondly, Tawde’s rise may not lead to his return to state politics either. Devendra
Fadnavis will continue to be the party's face in Maharashtra and play the role
of a pivot. The party high command also wants to improve the BJP-Shiv Sena
(Shinde)-MNS tally to 44 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP-Sena
(Uddhav) had secured 42 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.
Ex- CBI chief
fight for pension
Former CBI chief Alok
Verma is engaged in a bitter battle with the Department of Personnel &
Training (DOPT) under the Prime Minister post retirement benefits. The
government withheld pension & perks citing his refusal to join as DG, Fires
Services after his removal as Director, CBI. Verma was appointed for a two year
tenure as CBI chief. But he had a bitter battle with his special director
Rakesh Asthana. The government removed both of them from the CBI after the High
Powered Committee’s recommendation headed by the Central Vigilance Commission.
Verma refused to join the new posting; DG, Fire Services. The government
retaliated and 'forfeited his service' benefits. Verma is arguing that the tenure
of CBI Director’s post tenure is fixed for two years. Once he was
removed, he could not have joined as DG, Fire Services as he had retired in
July 2017. The DG Fire Service is not a designated post for two year. But no
one is listening and he has been running from pillar to post for his pension
for more than four years. But no luck.
