Modi refused to Lead BJP

Nitin Gadkari came into the picture only after Gujarat CM, party's first choice to become BJP national president, expressed unwillingness

Modi refused to Lead BJP

Nitin Gadkari came into the picture only after Gujarat CM, party's first choice to become BJP national president, expressed unwillingness

Saffron loyalist Nitin Gadkari is tipped to replace Rajnath Singh as BJP's national president. However, according to party sources, the BJP head in Maharashtra was not the first choice for the coveted post.

Political biggies like Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan were slated to replace Singh.

According to a senior BJP leader, "The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and top BJP leaders approached Modi and Chauhan for the post.

However, they were reluctant because of the turmoil within the BJP."

He added, "They declined the post, saying there would be leadership crisis in their respective states if they were not the CMs."

The turmoil within the BJP was evident when senior leaders Jaswant Singh, poll strategists Sudheendra Kulkarni, Arun Jaitley and Yashwant Sinha blamed the party's top leadership for its debacle in the Lok Sabha.

Modi and Chauhan know the BJP top post won't be a bed of roses at this time.

Observers also feel that Modi did not want to expose himself on the national scene till the time was ripe. Gadkari's proximity to the RSS turned the coin in his favour.

A senior BJP leader

said, "It was the Sangh leadership, which brought Gadkari's name for discussion, after two top contenders denied the post.

Gadkari was not at all reluctant to accept the post. After all, who would want to relinquish the top position?"

While Gadkari said, "I won't comment on the issue now," RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said, "The Sangh has nothing to do with the decision."

New roles?

Nitin Gadkari: President

Sushma Swaraj: Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha

The announcement is likely to be made in the first week of December after the Jharkhand elections

Old Warhorse

Head of BJP in Maharashtra, Nitin Gadkari is remembered for his role as Public Works Department minister in the Shiv Sena-BJP government from 1995 to 1999.

Gadkari has always been elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council since he first won in 1989. He is an
RSS loyalist.

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