M A I N   N E W S

Maha top job: Fadnavis leads race
Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service

Mumbai, October 19
The BJP, the single largest party in Maharashtra, has multiple contenders for the post of Chief Minister. While the party leadership is said to be backing Devendra Fadnavis, there are several others like Vinod Tawde, Leader of the Opposition in the legislative council, and Eknath Khadse, who headed the party in the last Assembly.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who is said to enjoy the support of the RSS, too, is not out of the race though publicly he claims to be satisfied with his post in Delhi.

The other big contender is Pankaja Munde, daughter of late Gopinath Munde. Pankaja is said to enjoy the backing of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray who did not field any candidate against her in the elections. Though party seniors forced Pankaja to retract, she is expected to be a strong contender as the Shiv Sena may insist on her getting the top job as a pre-condition for extending support.

Top contenders

Devendra Fadnavis enjoys the backing of party leadership

Vinod Tawde was the Leader of the Opposition in the legislative council

Pankaja Munde is the daughter of late Gopinath Munde. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray did not field any candidate against her in the elections