Maharashtra polls: Top 6 CM aspirants of BJP

New Delhi: Maharashtra Assembly election results will be out on Sunday. Exit polls have predicted BJP emerging as single largest party. The party is also exploring possibilities of joining hands with parties like NCP and Shiv Sena in case it falls short of majority in the assembly. The BJP is yet to declare its Chief Ministerial candidate. This race is gaining momentum after exit poll's prediction. The BJP has not yet declared its CM nominee and all the aspirated are keeping their fingers crossed.The Indian National Congress has been in power for the past 15 years but it appears that Maharashtra will now start a new chapter in its political history if exit polls are proved right.Here we are compiling a list of BJP leaders who are seen as top contenders for CM post if BJP forms the government in the state.Devendra FadnavisDevendra Fadnavis, widely seen as frontrunner for the top political job in Mumbai, is an MLA from Nagpur. Fadnavis has a clean image and has close ties with the BJP's mentor – RSS. Devendra Fadnavis is a lawyer by profession. He efficiently carried out his job as legislator for the past nine years. Fadnavis is popular amongst his electorate too. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too heaped praise on the BJP leader and said, “Devendra is Nagpur's gift to Maharashtra”.Devendra Fadnavis was the second youngest mayor elected in India, when he served as the Mayor of Nagpur at the age of 27, in 1997.Fadnavis was born in Nagpur in 1970. His father, Shri Gangadhar Rao Fadnavis was an MLC who died in 1987. His mother, Sarita Fadnavis belonged to the Kaloti family from Amravati.He is married to Amruta Ranade who is an Axis Bank Manager from Nagpur.Fadnavis appears to be the strongest contender for the coveted post.Pankaja Munde"My supporters want me to be the CM. If the party gives me the opportunity it would mean fulfilling the wishes of my supporters and my late father's dream." – These are the words of Pankaja Munde, who too is in the league of the coveted pivotal post in Maharashtra government.After Gopinath Munde's death in a car accident in June this year, Pankaja has emerged as her father's political successor in Marathwada.According to Pankaja, her sole wish is to serve the state and its people. She would even accept the Chief Minister's post if the party makes the offer.Two days after exit polls predicted BJP's victory in Maharashtra, Pankaja said, “Yes I am a nominee for the CM post. She also said that she was BJP's true mass leader in Maharashtra while the rest were metro leaders.Eknath KhadseEknath Khadse, the other chief ministerial aspirant in Maharashtra. Khadse was leader of opposition in the Maharashtra assembly.He played a crucial role in seat-sharing negotiations with the Shiv SenaKhadse was elected as Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2010. He represents Muktainagar (Assembly constituency) in Jalgaon district of North Maharashtra. He has been elected five times from his constituency.He stands out in assembly session by his speech. He is a prominent figure for farmer's issues. His son, Nikhil Khadase, committed suicide on 1 May 2013.Khadse is a strong leader of Leva-Patil community. Though he denies being a CM contender, he has mentioned that nobody from his region i.e., North Maharashtra has ever been considered for the post.“I am not in the race for the CM's post. Our top priority is to dislodge the corrupt government led by Prithviraj Chavan. Maharashtra is lagging behind while Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have made progress” said Khadse.Vinod TawdeVinod Tawde is a powerful Marathi leader in BJP's Maharashtra unit. He is known for excellent communication skills. Speculations have it that he too may be a contender for the post although he has explicitly denied this.The BJP leader wrote in his twitter handle that there was no race for the Chief Minister's post."There is no frontrunner, no back runner...The newly elected MLAs will elect their leader and recommend the name to the central parliamentary board, which will take the final decision."Vinod Tawde's drawback is that he does not have a mass base. Hence his chances appear thin.He was the General Secretary of Maharashtra unit of the party, President for Mumbai, All India National Executive Council Member and a key member of Co-ordination Committee of the BJP in the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha Election.Currently Vinod Tawde is the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council.Nitin GadkariUnion Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari may be considered for the key post in Maharashtra.Gadkari's experience of being the PWD minister during the previous Sena-BJP regime will be plus point for him.Gadkari held marathon elections meetings in as many as 108 places- highest among all BJP leaders- in Maharashtra for the 2014 assembly elections campaign.Gadkari held as many as 64 election meetings in the region while the state BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis addressed 18 meetings.Gadkari has so far refused to join the Chief Ministerial race.“I have decided to stay in Delhi and am content with the present responsibility.” said Gadkari.He also said that he would not return to state politics.Gadkari who was also BJP's President at one point in time, has now become Gandhi's neighbor as his house is right across her 10 Janpath residence.BJP sources feel that his shifting is an indication that he is planning to stay in Delhi and is not inclined to be counted among potential chief ministers if his party comes to power in Maharashtra.Prakash JavadekarUnion minister for information and broadcasting (I&B) Prakash Javadekar is look upon as the dark horse in the CM race.He is the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs. He was elected to Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra in 2008.Prakash Javadekar was born in Pune in the Brahmin family of Shri Keshav Krishna Javadekar and Ranjani Javadekar, a school teacher. He was associated with ABVP from student days.Javadekar worked as joint editor of Marathi Daily started by Lokmanya Tilak - Kesari before having stints with some other newspapers like Tarun Bharat, Kaal as journalist. He still occasionally writes his thoughts in some newspapers.So far he has shown no inclination towards CM post but he may spring a surprise, according to some political commentators.