Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis Defends Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Sudhakar Badgujar’s BJP Induction, Says No Opposition Within Party Over His Entry

Pune: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday defended the induction of former Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sudhakar Badgujar into the BJP, saying there was no opposition to his entry into the ruling party.

Fadnavis also said Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule was not against Badgujar's entry into the BJP.

Badgujar, once considered close to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, was targeted by the BJP last year after a video purportedly showed him dancing with Saleem 'Kutta', an accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

He joined the BJP on Tuesday, even as party MLA Seema Hiray strongly opposed his entry.

Badgujar, who had been jailed for a brief period, recently expressed discomfort with the Sena (UBT), and met Fadnavis. He was expelled from the opposition party soon after.

On Tuesday, there was initially a confusion over his induction into the BJP as Bawankule said he was not aware of the development, but later he himself inducted Badgujar and another former Sena (UBT) leader Babanrao Gholap at the party office in Mumbai.

Asked about Badgujar's induction, Fadnavis told reporters it is true that Badgujar was criticised by BJP leader Nitesh Rane (over alleged ties with an aide of Dawood Ibrahim), but no action was taken against him in the police case that was registered.

"This happened when he was in that party (Sena-UBT), before the state assembly elections (held in November last year). Now, he has expressed his desire to join the BJP. If someone wants to join the BJP, they are welcome. The only expectation is that once they join, they must adhere to the BJP's rules and regulations," he said.

The CM said when Badgujar's induction was confirmed on Tuesday, the responsibility for it was given to minister Girish Mahajan.

"BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule was initially not aware about his induction. In fact, later, Bawankule saheb himself clarified the matter," he said.

"He (Bawankule) was not opposed to Badgujar's induction and was present during the joining event. What I can say is that there may have been a communication gap, but no one opposed Badgujar's entry into the BJP," Fadnavis said.

Asked about NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's recent remarks that his party would not align with those who join hands with the BJP, Fadnavis refused to comment on a matter that does not concern him.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told President Donald Trump that India and Pakistan halted their military actions last month following direct talks between their militaries without any mediation by the US, calling out the American leader's narrative that he brokered the ceasefire.

Asked about it, Fadnavis said it has been India's consistent stand that there is no need for any mediation on the conflict with the neighbouring country.

The CM was at Dehu in Pune to participate in the departure of Sant Tukaram Maharaj 'palkhi' (palanquin) for Pandharpur as a part of annual wari procession.

Disclaimer: This is a syndicated feed. The article is not edited by the FPJ editorial team.

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