Supporters of Devendra Fadnavis wearing masks (Press Trust of India photo)
Devendra Fadnavis, proponent of cool during political heat, may have to reach deep into his reserves of calm.
In the last two weeks, he emerged as the top candidate for the new chief minister of Maharashtra, was challenged for that post by former mentor Nitin Gadkari, won that round, and now confronts another opponent from within his party. Eknath Khadse, a senior colleague of his from the BJP in Maharashtra, today declared, "I am in the race. Doesn't matter if I don't become Chief Minister... I will respect the party's decision."
The nearly 120 newly-elected lawmakers of the BJP are meeting this afternoon to choose the man who will be Chief Minister. On Friday, with the PM in the audience, the new BJP government will be sworn in at the Wankhede Stadium.
Sources in the BJP say that there is no chance of Mr Khadse being considered as a viable alternative to Mr Fadnavis, who has the approval of the powerful Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh or RSS, which is the BJP's ideological parent. It was the RSS that intervened firmly to stump Mr Gadkari's brief rebellion last week.
Mr Khadse, 65, is a leader from the northern part of Maharashtra; before the election was held, he served as the Leader of the Opposition in the state legislature. Mr Fadnavis, 44, belongs to Vidarbha and is the president of the BJP's Maharashtra branch.
Since the BJP emerged with the most seats in the state election over a week ago, Mr Fadnavis has unfailingly exhibited political correctness, stating that his party will decide who should be made Chief Minister, and that he has never considered himself in the running.