In damage control mode,team Nadda begins talks

On Backfoot after four party rebels quit the BJP to form a new political outfit,a two-member team led by general secretary J P Nadda,on Sunday began a three-day-long soul searching mission by holding one-on-one talks with leaders in Shimla.

On Backfoot after four party rebels quit the BJP to form a new political outfit,a two-member team led by general secretary J P Nadda,on Sunday began a three-day-long soul searching mission by holding one-on-one talks with leaders in Shimla.

Nadda,accompanied by BJPs Himachal co-incharge Shayam Jaju,spent the day at the party office to record the views of every leader,including the chairman and vice-chairmen of boards and corporations. We have kept the floor open for whoever wants to see us and suggest steps to make the party fighting fit ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. There is no brief from the high command to restrict the discussions to certain areas. It is a free and frank session but strictly secretive as after this,we will submit the report to party president Nitin Gadkari, Nadda told The Indian Express.

Asked whether he would invite the rebels for talks,Nadda said: No. This is not our mandate. We will talk to only partymen,office bearers,MLAs and ministers. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal will attend one of the sessions,besides state BJP president Khimi Ram.

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According to sources,the rift was very much evident in the party with some backing Dhumal and others seeking strong corrective measures,including the replacement of Khimi Ram.

During the meeting,some leaders expressed apprehensions about the damage suffered by the party by the rebels action and suggested for surgical solution to avoid any further exodus to the newly-floated political outfit. A few also admitted that there was an immediate need to refurbish the governments image.

A key member of the Shanta Kumar camp,Rajeev Bhardwaj who is also the vice-chairman of HRTC said: It was an excellent interactive session and I expressed my views on strengthening the party. Every BJP worker,myself included,wants the party to return to power. Whatever role we could play or are assigned,we will do happily.

The Nadda-Jaju team was set up by Nitin Gadkari after he had summoned the chief minister and Shanta Kumar on February 8. Kumar is reported to have openly aired his grievances against Dhumal in the meeting. Shanta had categorically told Gadkari that he was out of party affairs and will not like to be associated with fire-fighting operations,which has been undertaken so late, said a leader.

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In damage control mode,team Nadda begins talks

On Backfoot after four party rebels quit the BJP to form a new political outfit,a two-member team led by general secretary J P Nadda,on Sunday began a three-day-long soul searching mission by holding one-on-one talks with leaders in Shimla.

In damage control mode,team Nadda begins talks

On Backfoot after four party rebels quit the BJP to form a new political outfit,a two-member team led by general secretary J P Nadda,on Sunday began a three-day-long soul searching mission by holding one-on-one talks with leaders in Shimla.