Differences force BJP to extend state polls deadline

Internal dissenssions blocking unanimity on the choice of new presidents for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana...

Internal dissenssions blocking unanimity on the choice of new presidents for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh units have forced the BJP high command to extend the November-15 deadline to November 23 for concluding state polls.

Assuming that a convergence of views would be possible in all problem states, former party president Venkaiah Naidu announced after a meeting of senior leaders here today that the presidential election would be held by the end of this month. “We have told returning officer OP Kohli to finalise the time-table for the election of new president,” he said.

Sources disclosed if everything goes according to the script, incumbent president Rajnath Singh would be the sole candidate and he would be declared elected on the day the nomination papers are put through scrutiny. This could happen any time between November 26 and 28. The national council, which constitutes the electoral college, would be convened later to only put its seal on the election.

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In Madhya Pradesh, most factions are opposing the continuation of Lok Sabha member Satya Narain Jatiya as president. The general perception about Jatiya is that he is too easy-going. But the real reason why Chief Minister Chouhan is upset with him is the setting up of a committee under former Union minister Vikram Verma to examine to what extent the Government has implemented the party’s election manifesto. Party strongman Kaptan Singh Solanki has been ill at ease with Jatiya for his inclination to act independently rather than toe his line. Now there is another factor in the play — Solanki has developed an ambition to head the state unit after being relieved as general secretary (organisation). He has the blessings of former chief minister Sunder Lal Patwa too. Naturally, Solanki cannot realise his ambition unless there is a vacancy.

The impasse in Rajasthan, Himachal and Haryana has not ended yet. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is in favour of current state BJP resident Mahesh Sharma, but the dissidents have floated the names of former state president Raghuvir Singh Kaushal and Mahavir Jain. In neighbouring Haryana, the name of RSS nominee Atam Prakash Manchanda has met with resistance from various factions. The other ccontenders — Ram Bilas Sharma and Kailash Sharma — have asked the high command to pick up someone who is dynamic enough to lead the party from the front.

In Himachal, it is Shanta Kumar versus Prem Kumar Dhumal. Kumar is backing former Yuva Morcha president JP Nadda. The RSS choice in the hill state is Kripal Parmar.

The party has to complete polls in at least half the states before notifying presidential election. Since UP, Uttaranchal, Delhi, Punjab and Chandigarh have been already exempted from polls, the party cannot afford voiding the process in any more states. Having given itself seven days more, the high command has to resolve differences in all problem states fast.