Nagpur:
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's name would be the first in the list of BJP candidates once the ruling alliance in the state finalizes its seat-sharing deal for the Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, the BJP leader rejected Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's offer of a Lok Sabha ticket to Gadkari of opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
“(Nitin) Gadkari is our prominent leader. He is contesting from Nagpur. When the first list of candidates (of the BJP) was released, there had been no discussions among Mahayuti partners (BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP)….When the discussions take place, the Gadkari ji's name will appear first (in the candidate list),” Mr. Fadnavis said.
Uddhav Thackeray's own party was in shambles, Fadnavis said, adding, “The leader of such a party offering a national level leader like Gadkari ji is akin to a small person offering someone the post of US President offers.”
At a meeting on Thursday, Uddhav Thackeray had said Nitin Gadkari should show “Maharashtra's courage” and resign instead of “bowing to Delhi”. “We will ensure that he is elected as the MVA candidate,” Thackeray said.
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