Gadkari proves his relevance

October 19, as the results of the state elections started trickling in, it became clear quite early that both in Haryana and Maharashtra the BJP would emerge as the single largest party. As the numbers from each round were released, in the first state, the BJP’s graph went up and up while in Maharashtra, it went up and down like a yo-yo, at once stage dipping below 110. Political analysts and TV pundits were left reacting to each development, speculating how the chips would fall in Maharashtra should the BJP fall to 115 or thereabouts.

That would mean a shortfall of 30 seats to cross the half- way mark, not impossible, but a task that could require reaching out to the Shiv Sena, its one time ally- turned- bitter- foe.

As it turned out, the Nationalist Congress Party queered the pitch for the Sena by stepping forward with unsolicited and unconditional support for any BJP minority government.

This achieved two things— it ensured that the Sena could not ‘ blackmail’ the BJP by making all kinds of demands in return for providing the support of its 63 MLAs and second, it bought some precious insurance for the NCP, many of whose ministers are facing serious charges and even probes for corruption scandals.

But the NCP’s move also, unwittingly or otherwise, catalysed another situation— it opened the field for one more candidate for the Chief Minister’s job. Till then, it was more or less certain that young Devendra Fadnavis, a former mayor of Nagpur and a favourite of not just Narendra Modi but also his party chief Amit Shah, was going to become the new CM. This was a brave move for the BJP, since Brahmins are rarely considered fit candidates for the post, given their poor numbers in the state (just 3 per cent) and the historical memories of Peshwa rule. Fadnavis was also personally non- controversial and had no corruption charges attached to his name — it showed the BJP was prepared to start with a clean slate.

But the NCP’s offer queered the pitch. A new candidate came into the picture — Nitin Gadkari.

Gadkari too is a Nagpur Brahmin and has a good rapport with the RSS. But most importantly, he enjoys a fine ‘ tuning’ with Sharad Pawar— both are quite comfortable with each other and also with the Mumbai- headquartered corporate sector. Gadkari and Uddhav Thackeray do not see eye to eye on several things, but now there was to be no Sena in the picture.

An interesting scenario now unfolded — a large number of Vidharbha MLAs came out in the open and demanded that Nitin Gadkari be made the Chief Minister. They pointed to his experience as a minister and several other qualities. At the same time, Gadkari kept insisting he was not interested in moving out of Delhi. Was it synchronised? The party dismissed this display of Gadkari loyalists, first saying that barely 15 or so MLAs, and not 39 as the papers had reported, were making this demand. Then it was claimed that it was all just a ‘ sideshow’. One paper said that the party was annoyed but would stick to its plans of installing Fadnavis.

But however much the BJP tries to downplay this ‘ tamasha’, Gadkari has managed to send out a clear and loud signal to his party bosses: he cannot be taken for granted and remains a player in state politics. Gadkari was once a BJP party chief and had to step down when allegations hit his Purti group. He has been chafing (silently, though) since and has often tried to project himself as a national leader with a strong base in his state. He had never previously won an election, but after May 2014, that too has been achieved. In Vidharbha, especially Nagpur, he holds considerable clout. He may genuinely not be interested in leaving the national stage and becoming the chief minister, but he does not want to be seen as just another cabinet minister. This sabre-rattling by his supporters has once again put him in the limelight as someone who counts for something in Maharashtra.

Moreover, it also tells young Devendra Fadnavis that he may be the chief minister but Gadkari remains a powerful presence in the state and in the region. Fadnavis will now have to keep in mind that a substantial number of party MLAs owe allegiance to the senior Nagpur leader Gadkari and could be a source of future worry for him. Seen purely politically, Gadkari has played a masterstroke to keep himself relevant.

This will not go down well with the party’s bosses, especially Modi and Shah. For one thing, it hints at dissidence in a crucial state, something that they would not like and second, it implies that Gadkari wants everyone to know he is not a pushover, which makes him suspect.

The new government in Maharashtra will take office in a few days and it is more than likely it will be led by Devendra Fadnavis. All eyes will be on it to provide good governance and a clean administration. But Fadnavis, while ensuring his government delivers, will also have to keep one sharp eye for troublemakers within his flock. As they say, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.