Relinquishing of City BJP President’s post by Krishna Khopde is a clear signal that he may be accommodated in Fadnavis Ministry or could be Chairman of a Board, soon.
Nagpur: Is it a hint that Cabinet reshuffle and appointments on various Boards on the cards? Speculations are running wild that relinquishing of City BJP President’s post by Krishna Khopde is a clear signal that he may be accommodated in Fadnavis Ministry or could be Chairman of a Board! Khopde was reportedly certain to be retained as City BJP Chief but in a surprising move, South Nagpur MLA Sudhakar Kohale was appointed in his place. The move could be to pave the way for Khopde to handle a Ministry or head a Board. Even otherwise the ‘sidelined’ BJP and Shiv Sena leaders have become active to put pressure and grab the plum posts in various Boards.
These ‘neglected’ leaders of both the parties could be vying with each other or even checkmating each other to be ahead in the race for occupying the plum posts in Boards such as Vidarbha Statutory Development Board, Fisheries Development Corporation, Annabhau Sathe Vikas Mahamandal, MHADA, Mahatma Phule Magasvargiya Vikas Mahamandal, Industrial Development Corporation, Vasantrao Naik Vimukta Jati Va Bhatkya Jamati Vikas Mahamandal Ltd, and several such other Boards and Corporations. All these Boards are of Minister of State status hence the lure to grab the posts is very strong among the aspirants.
Before the BJP stormed to the power in State following a sterling victory in 2014 Assembly election, The Democratic Front Government, during its 15-year rule, filled up the coveted posts in various Boards by appointing Congress and NCP leaders from Western Maharashtra and Marathwada.
With the rise of BJP to power in Maharashtra the rise of aspirations among its leaders for occupying plum posts in different boards and corporations has reached its peak, too. In fact, a tug of war has started and the aspiring leaders are making moves to leave others behind in the race. Some of them have reportedly directly approached the Chief Minister and other top guns for their appointment on the plum posts in boards and corporations ostensibly for their “hard work” in elections.
Moreover, during its over one year rule, a few smaller parties also declared their support to the BJP Government to have a share in the pie.
During its earlier stint of power in the State, the BJP had appointed Arun Adsul, a Shiv Sena leader, as Chairman of Vidarbha Statutory Development Board. Adsul, during his five-year tenure, went on development spree to the tune of Rs 240 crore. Face of Vidarbha’s villages, roads, bridges etc got changed, for better. However, the day Adsul relinquished the reins of the Development Board, no full-time Chairman has been appointed till to date. Prakash Dahake was made during the last days of Democratic Front Government but quit the post as power changed the hands.
With the post Chairman of Vidarbha Statutory Development Board and several such positions lying vacant, it is no surprise that a horde of aspirants lining in the queue to grab them at the cost of others.
