With Asish Shelar, the current Mumbai unit president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), inducted in the State Cabinet on Sunday, the party is set to get a new chief for its city unit. Among the names being discussed are Mumbai North East MP Manoj Kotak and Vile Parle MLA Parag Alvani.
“As per the party’s policy, no person can hold two positions in the party. Also no person can remain at the president’s post for more than two consecutive terms of three years each. The party will soon find a replacement for Ashish Shelar, who will have the task of taking the party to victory in the Assembly polls,” a senior BJP leader said.
Mr. Shelar’s selection as Cabinet minister was much anticipated since he raised the party’s tally from 33 to 83 in the 2017 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. He is also known for taking the Shiv Sena head-on during the civic polls by even targeting the Thackeray family during the campaign. With increased strength in the BMC, the BJP is likely to choose the city unit head with experience in the functioning of the BMC.
The BJP State unit, too, will get a new president as current chief Raosaheb Danve has been elevated as a Minister of State in the central government. According to party leaders, the process will start only after the new national president of the BJP is selected to replace Amit Shah, who has assumed the responsibility as Home Minister.
