BJP president Nitin Gadkari is set to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Maharashtra as he is not in the mood to enter national politics through the Rajya Sabha.
Eight Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra have been identified by the BJP chief’s camp and a further shortlist is to be made. Mr Gadkari has decided to contest to silence his critics within and outside the BJP after questions were raised about his electability. Unlike other saffron heavyweights, Mr Gadkari doesn’t want a “safe seat” from a BJP-ruled state. He “intends to prove a point and fight a real battle”, a party functionary said.