Kolhapur MLC tipped for Maharashtra BJP chief's post

He is likely to replace Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra BJP president after the latter assumes the Chief Ministership on October 31.

BJP MLC from Kolhapur Chandrakant Patil is tipped to replace Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra BJP president after he assumes chief ministership on October 31.

“Patil’s elevation could come within a day or two of the swearing—in of the new BJP government at the Wankhede Stadium here in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” a party leader said.

BJP President Amit Shah had launched his poll campaign for the October 15 Assembly polls from Kolhapur.

With deep roots in RSS, Patil enjoys good rapport with the Sangh Parivar.

Sources close to him said he preferred the organisational post over handling a Ministry in the Fadnavis—led government and would like to be the bridge between the party organisation and government.

With reports saying BJP Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar is likely to be given a ministerial berth, the Mumbai party chief’s post may also fall vacant.

Vile Parle MLA Parag Alavani’s name is doing the rounds as probable replacement for Shelar as Mumbai BJP chief.