BJP is a party that commendably nurtures the young generation of leaders. And Devendra Fadnavis is a young leader who towers amongst his contemporaries. He has a rare spark of genius. He is cold and calculating and at the same time he is soft spoken and his face always has a hint of smile.
When BJP appointed a young, clean face as the CM of Maharashtra, there was a lot of din in the gossip circuits. Political Pundits were defeated once again. 44-year-old Devendra Fadnavis, ex-Nagpur Mayor and three-time MLA, was relatively unknown in the political circles of Maharashtra, when he was thrust into the limelight of Maharashtra politics. But Fadnavis soon proved why Shah and Modi entrusted him to lead them in Maharashtra.
But Devendra Fadnavis’s leadership skills were demonstrated the best in the BMC Elections when he faced the toughest opposition in Shiv Sena. Entire Fadnavis campaign was an astute political message centred on transparency, development and constantly invoking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. BMC win was a textbook case of strategy executed to perfection. CM Fadnavis decided to tackle the bull by the horn and converted this BMC election into a referendum of his state government. His ways reminded us of what CM Modi used to do in Gujarat. He singlehandedly destroyed Sena’s Conceit and then humbly asked them to lead thereby making sure the alliance stays intact.
PM Modi and Amit Shah understand the Organizational Capabilities of CM Fadnavis and hence they have anointed him their knight for what seems like an impossible battle. Yes, CM Fadnavis will be the in-charge of Kerala election campaign in 2019.
Kerala – The southern communist stronghold has two very interesting aspects about it – the thunderous tussle going on between the RSS and the communists and the tacit partnership of Congress and the Left to make sure BJP doesn’t make a dent here. But, it was a defeat of sorts for the mighty LDF and UDF as the NDA opened their account in Kerala in the Assembly elections. The BJP secured an alliance with Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (representing the Ezhava community), Janathipathya Rashtriya Sabha (led by tribal leader CK Janu), Kerala Congress (PC Thomas faction) and JSS (Rajan Babu). BJP candidate O Rajagopal did the unthinkable by winning from Nemom.
Having made inroads, the BJP is all set to pose a tougher challenge to the LDF in the future and is bent on occupying the opposition space. BJP had its vote share increased over time but that didn’t convert into seats. RSS is pitted in an ideological battle against LDF UDF combine. Nevertheless, after the jinx was broken in the form of O Rajagopal, the state is becoming seemingly conducive to saffron. The recent Tricolor Unfurling by RSS Chief Bhagwat in Kerala by was an effort in the same direction.
A weakening Congress and the haughtiness of the Left front together is a good opportunity for the party to strike gold in Kerala. And it is for this reason that CM Fadnavis has been roped in. His people connect is good, organizational skills better but what he truly excels in is election campaigning. There is still plenty of time left for the BJP to strengthen its base in Kerala, and with Fadnavis in the driving seat, the chances look even brighter.