Bharatiya Janata Party’s newly elected MP from Pune parliamentary constituency, Anil Shirole, will continue as the president of the party’s city unit till the state assembly elections are over. BJP’s Western Maharashtra Spokesperson Shripad Dhekane said that although the decision goes against the party’s ‘one-person, one-post’ credo, local party workers want to contest the assembly elections under Shirole’s leadership.

Man of the moment: Anil Shirole defeated the Congress candidate for the Pune seat by a record margin of 3.15 lakh votes. File Pic

Dhekane confirmed that Shirole will quit as the city party chief once the assembly elections are over. “According to the party’s ideals, one person cannot hold two posts. However, considering that Shirole has the exceptional ability of keeping party workers united, the party has decided to let him continue as the city chief along with his new responsibility of being the Pune MP,” said Dhekane.

Shirole was elected as the BJP city chief last year and the party was reportedly divided into two groups of Munde and Gadkari supporters before he took charge. “As soon as he took charge as city president, he ended that factionalism and, thus, party leaders have asked him to continue for now. However, he will only be an MP after assembly elections are over,” Dhekane added.

Who’s next?
The question that’s now on people’s minds is who will take charge as city president after Shirole steps down. “There are always willing candidates and the party’s state -level committee will take a final call on who will succeed him,” Dhekane said.