BJP Fields Industrialist Lakhani; His Family Tie To Sule In Spotlight

Mr. Lakhani, a prominent industrialist from Nagpur, is a trusted associate of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and is also considered a close confidant of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He has remained actively associated with the BJP and currently serves as co-treasurer of BJP Maharashtra. Lakhani is the chairman and managing director of Vishvaraj Group, a firm specialising in water sustainability, wastewater treatment and road construction.

Speaking on his relations with the Pawar family, Lakhani said that politics and family relationships are separate matters. “Politics is separate and both sides are committed to their respective ideologies,” he said.

“Supriya Tai sent me a congratulatory message. The reference to the Pawar family is natural because it is a large political family and we are related. I do not see anything unusual in that,” Mr. Lakhani added.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut there is nothing peculiar about the nomination of as a BJP candidate, saying the latter has always backed the RSS. “There is nothing peculiar about Lakhani (getting nominated as the BJP’s candidate for the legislative council polls). He has been a member, and he is a gentleman who gives strength to the RSS in every way. Mr. Lakhani is not from the Congress or NCP (SP). Lakhani comes from the list of people in Vidarbha who have backed the RSS from the very beginning,” he said.

However, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar took a swipe at the BJP over Lakhani’s candidature. The BJP appears to be giving preference to industrialists over grassroots workers, he said.