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."
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.
Narrow Escape For Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar After Helicopter Loses Way Amid Bad Weather "For God's Sake...": High Court Raps Maharashtra Over Board For Disabled Persons Maharashtra Government To Bring New Law To Crack Down On Fake Pathology Labs Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Why BJP Lost Lok Sabha Polls In Uttar Pradesh - 6 Reasons In Party Report Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dead At 94: Publicist Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.