Fadnavis in Catch-22 situation over fielding Narayan Rane for Council elections

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP leadership are in Catch-22 situation over fielding former Congress leader Narayan Rane for State Legislative Council elections scheduled on December 7.

CM Fadnavis has assured Narayan Rane the cabinet berth in his cabinet before Maharashtra state assembly’s winter session, starting from December 11. However, CM is confused whether Rane should be fielded in this council elections or not.

The reason behind is that Sena has opposed Rane’s inductions in a cabinet. Sena is also likely to join hands with Congress and NCP to defeat its arch-rival Rane. Sena is not leaving any opportunity to corner BJP and criticise its every decision. And, Rane elections will be blessing in disguise for Sena to harm the prospect of BJP on large scale.

On the other hand, BJP’s total 122 MLAs votes are not enough to get Rane elected. Even, the small BJP affiliated parties and independent MLAs extend their support still BJP is short of 10-12 votes. Besides, CM Fadnavis also afraid of disgruntled elements within in his own party.

“If major chunk of dissatisfied BJP ministers and MLAs votes against the BJP nominated candidates - Rane in secrete ballet voting, then this will be big political disaster for CM. Therefore, CM is cautious over this peculiar decisions,” said political observer.

“Sena’s support is inevitable in this crucial and prestigious polls. If Rane losses the elections that is not only failure of Rane alone but the chief minister Fadnavis and BJP also. Rane’s defeat can make the big headlines and that can go against the BJP ahead of Gujarat elections voting dates -- December 9 and 14. That is why, CM Fadnavis and BJP, both are in catch-22 situations over Rane,” said senior BJP minister adding that CM is finding truce with Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and finding way to come out from this labyrinth situations.

Moreover, the loss of Rane can also cause more trouble to BJP in winter session. Congress and the NCP has decided to put the joint Opposition front to corner BJP government on various issues. To show the strength of Oppositions, the mega joint rally of Congress and NCP has been also arranged on December 12. It willl be addressed by NCP chief Sharad Pawar.