Maharashtra’s former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday that with the three-party alliance Government ruling the state and the Shiv Sena no longer its ally, his party can work freely, expand its base and return to power in the State in the 2024 Assembly elections.
Speaking at a function organised to welcome Shiv Sena leader and Pune Zilla Parishad member Asha Buchke and her supporters into the BJP, Fadnavis said that since three major political parties – Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress – joined had hands against the BJP, thus reducing their respective political spaces and giving his party an opportunity to expand his base by working for the welfare of the people in the state”
“After the three political parties joined hands and formed the alliance Government, the BJP in the State got a golden opportunity to expand its party which was not possible when the party was in alliance with the Shiv Sena. Now that the three ruling parties are busy mending their affairs, the BJP can work freely, expand the party and work for the betterment of the people of the State.
The BJP will contest the 2024 Assembly polls on its own strength and come to power in the State,” Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis, who is currently the leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, said that all the supporters of Asha Buchke, who joined the BJP along with her, would be treated honourably in his party. “Our party does not differentiate between anyone -- an insider or an outsider, old or new. Once a leader comes under the aegis of the party, the party honours and takes care of them”.
State BJP president Chandrakant Patil said that Asha Buchke did not get her due in the Shiv Sena, she would now get her recognition in the BJP.
He said that she would be nominated as the party candidate in the 2024 State Assembly polls.
Expressing her happiness over joining the BJP, Asha Buchke said: “After joining the BJP I truly feel that I can now breathe freely and as a party worker, I will work hard and ensure that we expand the reach of the party to every household.”