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, which also happens to be the place where his in-laws hail from.
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 of BJP Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar 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.
