Actor-turned MP Manoj Tiwari is Delhi's BJP chief

To tide over differences and dissent among the state BJP leaders, the party top brass tweaked their strategy for the municipal corporation polls (scheduled for next year) and appointed Manoj Tiwari, as state president on Wednesday. Tiwari is an MP from the north east Delhi parliamentary constituency.

Taking over the new responsibility, the Delhi BJP chief said, "This is an opportunity to serve the people of Delhi and to give a new look to the party. I hope the honest and hardworking workers of the Delhi BJP will be of great help in fighting against the ruling party which has come to power in Delhi by making false promises to the people."

The BJP will rely on party's organisational strength to woo Poorvanchal voters, which is around 45 per cent in the national capital. The party is also expected to launch an all out attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the run-up to these polls.

Infighting within the BJP started after their debacle in the assembly polls last year where they managed to get only three seats. BJP parliamentarians and old Delhi veterans—Vijay Goel and Vijay Kumar Malhotra— started looking for the post of Delhi BJP president held by Satish Upadhyay.

These veterans had already making a bid to be seen promoting the right causes. Former state chief and Rajya Sabha member Vijay Goel had protested against the odd-even vehicle numberplate scheme in April this year, while BJP national secretary RP Singh had been placing advertisements in newspapers and putting up billboards demanding answers from Kejriwal. This was over the alleged Rs 400 crore scam in the Delhi Jal Board.

Meanwhile, former state president and current Leader of Opposition, Vijender Gupta, has been carrying on the fight in the state assembly against AAP. He is believed to want a greater share in state affairs.

The increased activities of senior leaders created problems for Upadhyay. Sources said Upadhyay was not able to take the BJP state unit along, as many of its leaders have held senior positions earlier, thus creating factions.

For the last six months, Bhojpuri actor and MP Manoj Tiwari, Meenakshi Lekhi, Parvesh Varma, Mahesh Giri and Vijay Goel names had been doing the rounds. But BJP chief Amit Shah appointed Tiwari as state president to woo voters from Poorvanchal.