There has been a kind of unrest amongst BJP legislators, with the MLAs and politicians speaking against one another prompting the State BJP to issue diktats. Goemkarponn Editor SURAJ NANDREKAR questions State BJP President Sadanand Shet Tanavade on the issue. He says it will take some time for MLAs to understand BJP culture.
Excerpts:
Suraj Nandrekar: In the recent past we have seen your own party MLAs and Ministers speaking against each other and the government in particular. You too a statement against such comments. The height was Minister Vishwajit Rane asking people to look for other alternatives if jobs are not given. Your say?
Tanavade: This is unwarranted and the party will look into such a comment and take an appropriate decision. We will speak to the MLAs, ministers and as you said even Vishwajit.
Suraj Nandrekar: Don’t you think Ministers and MLAs speaking against their own government was a trend in Congress, which is slowly creeping into the BJP?
Tanavade: When the party grows and you are in power for a long time, you cannot have all leaders from the cadre only. There are few inductions from other parties. When in teh party these leaders have to follow the rules and regulations of the party. So we will speak to them. Maybe it will take a little time.
Suraj Nandrekar: We never heard anything such as when the late Manohar Parrikar was in power.
Tanavade: That time was different. 2022 when Parrikar was Chief Minister that time all elected members were from the BJP. Hence, when you are at a party you know the discipline and rules. Today, new people have come and they will take time to understand. One good thing is that they all are working to strengthen the party. Everybody is contributing and that is why we have been able to cross over 1.2 lakh membership so far. We have to understand that we are here because of the party and hence the BJP cadre leaders will not make such statements. At the same time, it is not the same for new leaders who have joined the party, they feel they are individual leaders. Hence we cannot expect the same from everyone.
Suraj Nandrekar: Do you mean to say the BJP has no control or the system is affected due to new recruits?
Tanavade: No, if you see that the trend nationwide not all leaders are only from our cadre. Some have come from other parties because they have accepted the leadership of Narendra Modi. The leaders have joined as see the development and national security. Hence, we have to take all along and accept changes. We cannot say this has to happen, that has to happen.
Suraj Nandrekar: Vishwajit Rane’s comments came over unemployment or recruitment issues. Your views on teh issue.
Tanavade: That issue is for the Chief Minister to look into. One has to consider that everybody cannot get government jobs. On Vishwajit’s statement, we are speaking to him and getting clarification.
Suraj Nandrekar: Have any party workers and general public complained to you about the ministers and MLAs not having connect with people?
Tanavade: No. We have been having sabhas regularly and meeting people. If there are any specific complaints we will look into them.
