Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis may have been the sole face of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) civic election campaign in the city and elsewhere in the State, but BJP leaders will be accountable if the party performs poorly in areas assigned to them, Mr. Fadnavis said.
Speaking to reporters at his official residence, Varsha, ahead of the civic elections on February 21, he said every BJP leader, MLA and minister will be evaluated on their electoral performance. “Those who deliver satisfactory results will not be touched, and may be given a promotion. But those who are found lacking will have to sit at home. I mean, bad performance means they need to do more groundwork, don’t they?”
Mr. Fadnavis said while no targets had been set, someone incapable of leading a district wouldn’t be able to lead the State. “Even in districts, which are extremely difficult for us, we should see some growth,” he said. He, however, said the election results will have no impact on his post.
Claiming that his party will be the single largest party in the BMC, Mr. Fadnavis said, “We will form an alliance with a party which will adhere to our idea of transparent administration. If no one is ready for it, we do not mind sitting in the Opposition despite being the party with most corporators. We will not move away from the agenda of transparent administration.” He added that despite strained relations with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, he was confident the government will face no difficulty after results are declared.
Mr. Fadnavis said he has asked party MP Kirit Somaiya to submit papers showing alleged money laundering by Mr. Thackeray to the concerned authorities. “Let the authority investigate and come out with its findings.” Mr. Somaiya had alleged that Mr. Thackeray is connected to five shell companies through which money is being diverted.
“The Sena has become too complacent in the BMC. It is the right time for them to sit back, do some self-criticism and rest for five years,” he said, adding he wasn’t talking about a Mumbai without the Thackerays or a Maharashtra without the Pawars, because that won’t be possible.
“When Modi ji talks about Congress- mukt Bharat, he talks about finishing off the Congress as a concept. Parties do not end like this, people finish them off.”
