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Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Girish Mahajan keeps the lotus afloat
It is Mahajan who is the BJP’s shotgun - shooting down crises for the party high command
Like any other politician, Girish Mahajan, has had occasions to be part of controversy in his 30-year political career, which he began as a Zilla Parishad member. His love for firearms, is a bang on example. “I keep a revolver for self defence. I don’t brag it,” Mahajan said recently.
In today’s political environment in Pune and Maharashtra, though, it is Mahajan who is the BJP’s shotgun - shooting down crises for the party high command.
From winning elections, to facilitating the entry of new blood, cue Sujay Vikhe-Patil and Ranjitsinh Mohite-Patil, to successfully mediating with agitating sections, Girish Mahajan is the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) firefighting Mr Dependable.
Mahajan, a cabinet colleague of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, led the operation to facilitate Ranjitsinh’s entry into the BJP, a week after Sujay was brought into the party.
Ranjitsinh, son of senior NCP leader Vijaysinh Mohite Patil, was in touch with Mahajan till the last moment as he announced plans to join the BJP on Tuesday.
The script was similar to how Sujay, a third generation member of the Vikhe-Patil family from Ahmednagar, was brought into party fold.
A Mahajan’s rise in the past four years, many within BJP believe, is at the cost of his detractor Eknath Khadse. Both Mahajan and Khadse hail from the Jalgaon district in north Maharashtra, and while the former has gained prominence, the latter’s political fortunes have diminished. Khadse faced allegations of impropriety, leading to his exit from the cabinet.
“I have fulfilled all the responsibility shouldered on me by the chief minister. On multiple occasions, I have taken initiatives, which led to a positive outcome. I have given my best while dealing with various issues,” said Mahajan, who holds the medical, education and water resource portfolios in the state cabinet.
Recently, Mahajan oversaw the Dhule civic polls, where BJP won 50 seats and emerged the single largest in the municipal corporation. In Ahmednagar, Mahajan helped party win mayoral polls after 18 NCP corporators voted in favour of the BJP candidate, leading to their suspension.
Mahajan’s utility is not limited to winning elections. Fadnavis has on number of occasions deployed Mahajan for dialoguing with protesting elements – be it farmers or social crusader Anna Hazare.
“This has only indicated the chief minister’s trust in Mahajan, who has often bailed him out,” said Chitra Lele, professor, political science, SNDT university.
Recently, Mahajan successfully held talks with agitating farmers from Nashik who were on their way to Mumbai. In January, CM deployed Mahajan once again to hold talks with Anna Hazare, who had undertaken a fast unto death while demanding Lokpal and a higher price for farm produce. Mahajan arrived in Ralegan Siddhi and convinced Hazare to break his fast.
Recently, Mahajan made remarks that given the responsibility, he will help party with Baramati, a Lok Sabha seat considered to be the stronghold of Sharad Pawar and family.
Then of course, Mahajan may also be fighting the Lok Sabha elections from Pune. A man for all seasons.
