INDIA
At a time when the Lok Sabha elections are just around the corner, and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is riding on a wave of popularity, dissent in the BJP's upper ranks is something the party can ill afford now.
Yet, several of the top echelons of the BJP have expressed their dissatisfaction about the party's activities, both privately and publicly, making it quite clear that there is serious discord in the top leadership.
Leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj made her unhappiness clear at the induction of B Sriramulu into the BJP, when she tweeted:
I want to make it absolutely clear that B.Sriramulu has been admitted in the party despite my stiff opposition.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwarajbjp) March 14, 2014
She also opposed the denial of the Barmer ticket to senior leader Jaswant Singh, who was later expelled from the party for six years, saying she was "pained" at the decision.
Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also took to Twitter to express his dissatisfaction at the inclusion of expelled JD(U) leader Sabir Ali. His tweet, which he later deleted, read: "Terrorist Bhatakal friend join BJP...soon accepting dawood........"
The BJP decided to drop Ali after others including MP Balbir Punj backed Naqvi's objection, but the widening disagreement within the party was quite clear.
Ali was not the first leader to be dropped after opposition from within the party. There was strong outrage at the BJP's decision to bring Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik (the perpetrator of the attack of women in a Mangalore pub in 2009) into its fold from within the party. Within hours of his induction, the controversial right wing leader was shown the door.
Senior leader LK Advani wanted to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Bhopal. He was overruled, and asked to contest from Gandhinagar instead. Advani went into what was described as a sulk. A 24-hour drama followed, including several placatory gestures and meetings with other senior leaders at his residence, before Advani agreed to contest from the constituency chosen for him.
Murli Manohar Joshi was unwilling to shift from the Varanasi seat so that the BJP could field Narendra Modi from there, and is understood to have expressed his unhappiness to the party's CEC. He later said he would accept whatever decision the party took like a "disciplined soldier", and ended up having to vacate the seat for Modi after all, and contest from Kanpur instead.
Sitting MP from Lucknow, Lalji Tandon, is reported to have initially refused to vacate his seat for anyone but the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. He refuted those allegations, and ended up giving up his seat for BJP president Rajanth Singh.
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron of A Brand New Life fame found dead at 24
'Life-threatening cold' ALERT in US as Polar Vortex, snow, floods grip America: What does that mean?
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi, who is better? 66 per cent of former footballers believe...
Champions Trophy 2025: No Indian flag in Lahore Stadium sparks controversy ahead of tournament
After strong tremors in Delhi-NCR, 4.0 magnitude earthquake jolts Bihar's Siwan
Delhi-NCR earthquake: Netizens react with hilarious memes amid 4.0 magnitude tremors, check here
BAFTA: Payal Kapdia's All We Imagine As Light faces another disappointment, films loses to...
Student paraglides to college after getting late for exam, netizens react, watch viral video
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu issues BIG warning to Hamas: 'Gates of hell will...'
Delhi-NCR Earthquake Today: Tremors of magnitude 4 jolt Delhi and adjoining areas
This film has broken world box office records, not Hollywood, Bollywood but...
Meet Satyam Pandey who got high-paying job offer, not from IIM, NIT, IIIT, his annual salary is…
Gurgaon couple reunites with lost dog after three-month search in Agra
Meet man, IIT graduate, who topped UPSC exam in third attempt, he is from...
Noida authority takes BIG action against promoters of 2 housing projects, as realty firm fails to...
WPL 2025: Ashleigh Gardner, Deandra Dottin star as Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz by 6 wickets
This city is the coldest, darkest and most polluted in the world, tourists are banned here due to...
New Fastag rules from today: Users may incur additional charges if...; check details
Inside Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan's son Jeh's mario-themed birthday bash, watch
Meet Indian genius, who got high-paying job offer, not from IIT, IIM, his annual salary is Rs…
Shoaib Ibrahim gifts new house to his mother-in-law, Dipika Kakar's mother gets emotional
Deepika Padukone joins Kartik Aaryan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff at Mumbai event; see viral photos
Man wanted in Canada's biggest gold heist found living in THIS Indian city, he is...
'Free Samay Raina': Badshah shouts at his concert in Gujarat
Amitabh Bachchan's son-in-law Nikhil Nanda faces legal trouble, FIR filed against businessman for...
'Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli...': R Ashwin lambasts 'superstar culture' in Indian cricket
Bombay HC to hear PIL on Sushant Singh Rajput's death, actor's father says...
Ajay Devgn's absence from Kajol's Valentine's Day post sparks speculation: 'Kalesh chal raha hai'
Anil Ambani-led company's loss widens to Rs 3298 crore in just...; its business is...
Premanand Maharaj's morning yatra set to resume after..., it was stopped because...
Champions Trophy 2025: Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar clash over Shreyas Iyer's position in team
239 composite liquor shops to be opened in..., booze business ramps up in...
Mukesh Ambani may lose the position of Asia's richest after Reliance loses...in just...days
Elon Musk-led DOGE halts Rs 175 crore election funding for India due to...
Malaika Arora shares her Paneer Thecha recipe, here's how you can make it
Mahakumbh viral girl Monalisa steps into 5-star hotel for lunch for first time, see viral post
Meet CID-fame actor, who once did a show for Rs 20, lost his wife due to...now earns...
Vinod Kambli makes surprising move, former Indian cricketer decides to donate...
Sachin Tendulkar breaking heart on V Day with Anjali in tow is oddly satisfying, watch viral video
Ekta Kapoor to face police probe, Mumbai court orders inquiry for...
Lahori Zeera makers likely to get Rs 450 crore as fundraising from Motilal Oswal among others
'You're pregnant': Ileana D'Cruz expecting second child with Michael Dolan!
Akshay Kumar touches Amitabh Bachchan's feet at ISPL2 finale, their association goes back to...
Who is Lalit Modi’s new Valentine? All about Rima Bouri, IPL founder’s new girlfriend
India's big 'treasure' is hidden here, once THIS work is done country will earn Rs...
This country hits big JACKPOT, discovers one of world's biggest gold reserves worth Rs...