In response to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement that it wouldn’t have taken much time to elect a BJP president if it was being carried out by the Sangh, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified by saying that the remarks also pointed out that these decisions are taken by the BJP.

“BJP has its own process of electing a chief. RSS chief’s answer signalled that we don’t take these decisions, they are taken by the BJP,” Fadnavis said at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai.

“The election for the BJP president will happen at the right time. There are no problems,” Fadnavis further clarified.

The BJP, which is in search of its next national president, has not been able to zero-in on a name so far. Critics speculate that the RSS may have a say in this and a lack of consensus on a name is delaying the announcement.

Few days back, Mohan Bhagwat said “it wouldn’t have taken this (much) time to decide” the man for the top post if they decided for the Bharatiya Janta Party.

Bhagwat’s remarks came when asked if it’s the RSS that decides the president and roadmap for the country’s ruling BJP.

Bhagwat said, “I have been running a shakha for 50 years now, so if someone gives me advice about that, I am the expert there. When it comes to running the State, they have been doing it for long, so they are the expert”. Suggestions can be given, he added, “but the decision in their field is theirs, and ours in our field”.

“If we were deciding, would it have taken so long?”, he further said and broke into a smile.

– Ends