In a significant development that has intensified the political atmosphere in Maharashtra, senior Congress leader Nana Patole on Monday made a bold claim about internal discord within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He asserted that a specific faction inside the BJP is actively campaigning to remove Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis from his position.
Internal Churn Within BJP No Secret, Says Patole
Addressing the media in Nagpur, the former president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) stated that the alleged power struggle within the BJP is an open secret. Patole, who is the Sakoli MLA, insisted that Chief Minister Fadnavis himself is fully aware of the campaigns being run against him from within his own party. "Where and how campaigns are being run against the CM within the BJP, and which group is active to remove him, is even known to Fadnavis," Patole declared.
He connected this purported internal conflict to the events that unfolded after the formation of the Mahayuti government in the state. Specifically, Patole pointed to senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, suggesting his initial exclusion from the cabinet led to discontent. "Whatever is going on with Mungantiwar, Fadnavis has complete knowledge of it," the Congress leader claimed, adding fuel to the speculation.
Warning of an Impending 'Explosion' in BJP
Patole did not stop at highlighting current tensions but also issued a stark warning about the future. He predicted that the situation is likely to escalate dramatically in the coming months. "In the days ahead, a major explosion of power struggle will be seen within the BJP," he forecasted. These remarks, made during the peak of campaigning for crucial municipal elections across Maharashtra, immediately triggered sharp reactions and discussions across political circles.
When questioned about Union Minister Narayan Rane's recent comments hinting at retirement from active politics, Patole seized the opportunity to take a veiled dig at the BJP leadership. He suggested that other senior leaders in the BJP should "take inspiration" from Rane's statement. This comment was widely interpreted as a political gibe aimed at stirring the pot rather than a genuine endorsement of Rane's stance.
Caution on Allegations Against Assembly Speaker
The Congress leader was also asked about allegations that pressure was exerted on certain candidates to withdraw their nomination papers, with the state's Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar's name being mentioned in connection with the claims. Patole responded with measured caution, emphasizing the constitutional sanctity of the Speaker's office. "The Speaker's position is a constitutional one, and justice is expected from it," he stated.
He added that such high constitutional offices must be occupied by "the right person" but chose not to elaborate further on the specific allegations. His careful wording on this sensitive topic underscored the political delicacy surrounding the issue, especially during an election period.
The timing of Patole's revelations is critical, as Maharashtra is immersed in a heated phase of civic body elections. Such claims of internal rebellion within the ruling party are seen as an attempt by the Congress to exploit perceived weaknesses and sway public opinion. The political discourse in the state is now sharply focused on the stability of the BJP-led government and the future of its leadership.
