Nagpur: It was quite a busy day at Gadkariwada, the residence of Union Transport Minister and Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari on Thursday. As the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Gadkari at the latter’s residence yesterday afternoon, hordes of party workers, senior BJP netas made a beeline to claim their candidature for the upcoming NMC polls. Both Fadnavis and Gadkari are members of the BJP city parliamentary board. Even as the party’s city unit has its office near Gandhisagar lake, the parliamentary board met at Gadkari’s house in Mahal.
It is learnt that Gadkari bargained with CM for a couple of candidates in the latter’s South-West constituency. CM arrived at Gadkari’s residence around 11.30 am on Thursday and spent close to 2 hours to finalize candidates for NMC elections.
Gadkari and Fadnavis reportedly finalized only 97 of the total 151 seats, while the remaining will be okayed by Gadkari.
It is learnt that Gadkari suggested Fadnavis to give ticket to Dilip Diwe, who lost in 2012 NMC elections. “Dilip is the younger brother of Purti group’s managing director Sudhir, who is very close to Gadkari. Dilip was defeated by Congress city president Vikas Thakre in the last election,” sources said.
“Dilip lives in Yashodara Nagar in ward no. 38. Again, Thakre or Congress bigwig Praful Gudadhe will contest from the ward.
Hence, Dilip is seeking ticket from ward np. 36 that is said to be safer for BJP and falls in the CM’s constituency. Fadnavis suggested Diwe should contest from ward no. 37. He knew party workers will get upset if Diwe is given ticket from ward no. 36 or 37, but had to compromise,” sources added.
