Minister Bawankule: BJP ready for upcominglocal body elections

Kolhapur: Maharashtra's revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who is also the state BJP chief, on Thursday confirmed his party's readiness for the upcoming local body polls.Speaking in Solapur, Bawankule said, "The elections are likely to be held in Sept and Oct. Govt is ready to give administrative machinery to the state election commission to hold the elections. BJP is ready to contest at any time. The directions are for fighting the elections as Mahayuti. We will try our best to continue with the alliance. However, at some places, if it is not possible, then we will have a friendly match, and later, after the polls, we can come together."The BJP state president also seconded chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's positive comments about NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar during a private channel interview. Bawankule noted that Maharashtra's culture encourages recognition of good work, even from opposition politicians. He acknowledged Sharad Pawar's lifelong dedication to Maharashtra and his achievements, stating it was appropriate to commend such contributions.Taking exception to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's comments on Hindutva figure Vinayak Savarkar, Bawankule called the Congress politician "mad" and said no one should pay any attention to him. When questioned about Gandhi's statement in a Pune court affidavit regarding blood relations between Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse, Bawankule said: "The entire country knows how ‘mad' Rahul Gandhi has become. He even raised questions about Operation Sindoor. He humiliated Savarkar thrice after coming to Maharashtra. The court reprimanded him. He has gone mad, and no one should listen to him." Bawankule also observed that Shiv Sena (UBT) politicians Sanjay Raut had lost touch with this Maharashtra tradition.Kolhapur: Maharashtra's revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who is also the state BJP chief, on Thursday confirmed his party's readiness for the upcoming local body polls.Speaking in Solapur, Bawankule said, "The elections are likely to be held in Sept and Oct. Govt is ready to give administrative machinery to the state election commission to hold the elections. BJP is ready to contest at any time. The directions are for fighting the elections as Mahayuti. We will try our best to continue with the alliance. However, at some places, if it is not possible, then we will have a friendly match, and later, after the polls, we can come together."The BJP state president also seconded chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's positive comments about NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar during a private channel interview. Bawankule noted that Maharashtra's culture encourages recognition of good work, even from opposition politicians. He acknowledged Sharad Pawar's lifelong dedication to Maharashtra and his achievements, stating it was appropriate to commend such contributions.Taking exception to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's comments on Hindutva figure Vinayak Savarkar, Bawankule called the Congress politician "mad" and said no one should pay any attention to him. When questioned about Gandhi's statement in a Pune court affidavit regarding blood relations between Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse, Bawankule said: "The entire country knows how ‘mad' Rahul Gandhi has become. He even raised questions about Operation Sindoor. He humiliated Savarkar thrice after coming to Maharashtra. The court reprimanded him. He has gone mad, and no one should listen to him." Bawankule also observed that Shiv Sena (UBT) politicians Sanjay Raut had lost touch with this Maharashtra tradition.