I am the party's HR: BJP leader Girish Mahajan

Girish Mahajan, senior BJP leader, considered Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' blue-eyed boy is confident of his party winning more than 40 seats, including Opposition strongholds like Baramati and Madha. Mahajan, credited with convincing heavyweights from other parties to join the BJP, spoke to DNA on a number of issues.

When asked whether Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde was offered a ticket, Mahajan said he is the go-to person whenever anyone wants to join the BJP.

"I am the HR for my party. So far, Dr Sujay Vikhe-Patil, Ranjeet Mohite-Patil and Ranjeet Singh Naik Nimbalkar have all joined our party. People want to remain with those in power and hence there is a steady flow of people joining our party," informed Mahajan.

Mahajan also added that the people of Maharashtra and the country have decided to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister again. He added that Narendra Modi will be their main campaigner in this Lok Sabha polls. 

"Congress president Rahul Gandhi cannot be an alternative to Narendra Modi. Congress will not win more than 100 Lok Sabha seats in this election," Mahajan said. He said that they will even trounce the Pawar family in their pocket borough of Baramati.

On infighting and defections within BJP, he explained as to why party didn't have to worry much. "We will try to convince them not to contest against the official candidate of party. We had given them enough posts. We had a negative survey report of these sitting MPs whose ticket was denied. Besides, they did not work for party in last five years. Now, other people who are working for the party also need to get an opportunity and get elevated in the system," he added.

WHO IS MAHAJAN

• Senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan is considered CM Devendra Fadnavis’s blue eyed boy
   
• He holds the post of water resources minister
   
• He is serving his fifth term as MLA from the Jamner constituency