Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar created a stir in political circles on Saturday by saying that if CM Devendra Fadnavis was “promoted” as Union minister in Delhi, BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule would become the next CM. They did not claim Fadnavis was moving to Delhi but said there was “a possibility.” Rohit, however, added that Dy CM Eknath Shinde’s weight too had increased in Delhi, and the state and top BJP netas were backing him.Reacting to the speculation, CM Fadnavis said, “I just went to Delhi the day before yesterday.”Raut said, “If Fadnavis goes to the Centre, the state’s leadership will go to Chandrashekhar Bawankule. You might think I will name someone else, but the picture I see is of Bawankule as the right leader from Vidarbha. He is someone who communicates with everyone, takes care of everyone. Eknath Shinde will not become the CM again, not at all. (BJP minister) Girish Mahajan’s record is very bad.”Claiming that Fadnavis himself would recommend Bawankule, who currently holds the revenue portfolio, Raut also said that Fadnavis should become the prime minister before 2029.Rohit Pawar said, “If the leaders of the BJP decide to give an important post at the Centre to Fadnavis, then in Maharashtra, Chandrashekhar Bawankule can get a chance (to be CM). A BJP minister with a small portfolio may also get a big responsibility in Maharashtra in the coming future, even the post of chief minister. But, on the other hand, Eknath Shinde should not be underestimated. We can all see that Shinde has increased his own strength a lot. Even in Delhi, top BJP netas are giving him strength.”Raut said, “We will be happy if Fadnavis becomes PM before 2029, as a Marathi manoos, we wish him well. Uddhav Thackeray has also wished him well.” He added that the BJP would not have its govt after 2029, so “Fadnavis should do whatever he wants to do before 2029.”Bawankule represents the Kamthi assembly constituency in Nagpur and is widely recognized as one of the prominent OBC faces of BJP in the state.
