Nagpurians give thumbs up to Gadkari

NAGPUR: For BJP, a party that has been fighting battles within itself lately, the news of Nitin Gadkari taking over as chief brings hope and optimism. But people of Nagpur, where Gadkari belongs, say that it is also a matter of pride. TOI spoke to some Nagpurians on expectations from the ‘development man.’
“The very fact that Gadkari comes from core RSS background and has experience of working with ABVP and BJYM makes him a clear favourite for the top post,” said Mahendra Nimbarte, a Nagpur University senate member and RSS activist.He added that Gadkari will ‘not only succeed but also take party to new heights.’ Nimbarte said that BJP plunged into crisis as previous leaders ‘deviated from the Sangh ideology.’ “Subsequently, they lost people’s trust and bitter infighting among the top ranks took the party to a new low. But I appreciate RSS’ decision to place right man at right place,” he said.
There are many like Sampada Kulkarni, a housewife and entrepreneur, who feel that Gadkari has shown the potential to turn things around for his beleaguered party. “Just a glance on his past performance reveals everything. He was the man behind the Mumbai-Pune expressway which greatly reduced travel time. In Nagpur, he built flyovers at the right places and not like the one built in Sakkardara by some local politicians for their vested interests,” she said.
A clean image has been one of Gadkari’s hallmarks. Another has been his youthful dynamism. Nagpurians feel that Gadkari will have to combine both to lift the party’s fortunes. Businessman and environmentalist Vinit Arora believes it will be a tough job. “BJP doesn’t have dynamic youngsters of the caliber of Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Milind Deora. Gadkari will have to nurture youngsters like them for the party’s future,” he said. He was also hopeful that the region will progress because of Gadkari’s appointment. “Gadkari will fight for issues plaguing the region,” he added.
Others like entrepreneur Samir Audarya also feel that the city’s developmental engine, the cargo hub, will get a boost with Gadkari’s influence as head of the principal opposition party. “He played key role in bringing the cargo hub to Nagpur. With him taking over the top BJP post, Mihan will get a big boost.”
Gadkari’s appointment at the party’s helm has also brought hope to BJP supporters, who were dejected by the party’s performance in the general and state elections. Preeti Chaudhari, a chartered accountant, is one of them as she feels the saffron party will sweep back to power under his reign. “He is a dynamic leader and was destined to reach the top. All that talk about Gadkari not contesting regular elections is trash, as he is very popular among the masses,” she avers.
Sanjay Bahekar, Nagpur University’s PRO, believed that the first Maharashtrian man to occupy top post in BJP will ensure more representation of the state at Centre.
Secretary of Railway Quasi Mazdoor Union, Ganesh Gour thinks that the RSS has made the right decision by appointing a man of Gadkari’s stature. “As many as four MLAs winning from Nagpur by defeating bigwigs under his leadership is a fine example of his performance,” he said.