What Is BJP’s Strategy Behind Removing Nitin Gadkari?
Delhi, 18th August 2022: The exit of Nitin Gadkari from the Central Parliamentary Board, the highest policy-making body of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is related to the future strategy of the BJP. This decision is also going to affect the internal developments of the party. The new development will not only affect his political presence within the party but will also affect his electoral politics.
Nitin Gadkari, who rose to the national stage from Maharashtra politics as the BJP’s national president in 2009, is now out of a key role in the BJP’s central organization. He is a minister in the Central Government and a member of the party’s national executive but will remain out of the Central Parliamentary Board and the Central Election Committee, also affecting his stature within the party.
Gadkari has been in discussions about his statements, and his different thinking about politics has also been evident. Recently, at an event, he raised questions on current politics and indicated that politics is not of much interest to him now. However, Gadkari is also known for many changes in the BJP. Due to his different style, he was often not successful in coordinating with everyone.
His role as a Union Minister in the Modi government was most appreciated. His opponents also praise him for the network of national highways across the country. But his problems remained in the internal equations of the party. He also remained in controversies due to his unruly style.
The central leadership, by not including Nitin Gadkari in the Parliamentary Board and the Central Election Committee, has given a big message that the party is focused on ideology rather than the individual. Whatever is necessary for its elaboration will be done. Earlier, the party had formed a guide board and included senior leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi by separating them from the active politics of the party.
A prominent leader of the party said that the way the Modi government implemented the agenda of ideology rapidly in the last years, its effect has been seen from the government to the organisation. If we do not talk about any one leader, then the ideology of the person seems to dominate.
It will also have an impact on Maharashtra politics. In place of Gadkari in the party, Devendra Fadnavis, who comes from his hometown Nagpur, has increased in stature. Devendra Fadnavis was the chief ministerial candidate recently when the BJP, along with the rebel Shiv Sena faction, formed the government in the state. But the party persuaded him to become the Deputy Chief Minister. Now, the party has increased his stature by including him in the Central Election Committee.
Both Gadkari and Fadnavis are considered close to the RSS. Any decision taken by the central leadership of the BJP will also involve the consent of the Sangh. In the recent meeting of the National Executive of Hyderabad, the party had given a call to prepare its organization according to the needs of the next 25 years. New leaders have to be promoted in it as well. Hence, leaders like Bhupendra Yadav and Devendra Fadnavis have been given a lot of importance in the party.
