BJP Leader Amit Shah Honors Late Congress CM Vasantrao Naik
Amit Shah’s Maharashtra Tour: A Move to Co-opt Congress Legacy?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently kicked off the BJP’s campaign for the 2025 Maharashtra local body polls with a two-day visit to the state. A significant event during his trip was the inauguration of a statue dedicated to former Congress Chief Minister Vasantrao Naik in Nanded, Marathwada.
This gesture has sparked discussions about the BJP’s strategy of co-opting the legacies of prominent Congress leaders, especially in Maharashtra. Analysts point out that Naik, born in the politically influential Banjara community, enjoys a strong following among his community members, who are particularly concentrated in Vidarbha, a BJP stronghold.
The Vasantrao Naik Legacy
Vasantrao Naik was a pivotal figure in Maharashtra’s political history. He served as Chief Minister for a total of 11 years, from 1963 to 1975, and was known for steering the state’s ‘green revolution’. Notably, he was the first, and so far only, CM to complete a full five-year term from 1967 to 1972. His family has a strong political lineage, with his nephew, Sudhakarrao Naik, also serving as Chief Minister from 1991 to 1993.
While the Naik family’s contributions to Maharashtra’s politics are undeniable, their legacy has not been as prominently celebrated by the Congress as that of other notable leaders like Shankarrao Chavan or Y.B. Chavan. This, according to political commentator Abhay Deshpande, is the space the BJP is trying to fill by highlighting Naik’s achievements and honoring him with the statue inauguration.
Targeting the Banjara Community
The BJP’s focus on the Banjara community extends beyond Maharashtra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Banjara Virasat Museum in Washim district last year, highlighting the community’s cultural and historical significance.
In Maharashtra, the Banjara community holds sway in several districts, including Jalgaon, Hingoli, Latur, Yavatmal, and Nashik. Following a lackluster performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is actively engaging with micro-caste groups, including the Banjaras, to strengthen its position ahead of the 2024 assembly elections.
Political commentator Pratap Asbe suggests that the BJP is capitalizing on the absence of a prominent Banjara leader in mainstream politics. Sanjay Rathod, a former Shiv Sena leader and minister, has faced controversy and his image has been tarnished, leaving a void that the BJP is attempting to fill by associating itself with Vasantrao Naik’s legacy.
The Statue’s Significance
The statue itself was a project initiated in 2008 by the then-Congress-NCP government but was stalled for years. It was revived in 2021 by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The statue, standing nine feet tall and costing Rs. 13.99 lakh, is a reminder of the BJP’s efforts to connect with the electorate on a personal level, even by honoring leaders from a rival party.
