Rajasthan: After poll loss, BJP biggies eye plum post in state organisation

With BJP now in opposition in Rajasthan, many of its senior leaders are now taking a keen interest in party organisation. The leaders especially former MLAs, ministers and even those who managed to win are keenly seeking opportunity to be included in state executive body of the party at plum posts. They are going by the logic that being functionaries in the party organisation would be a way to stay part of party affairs. What adds to their hopes is that the tenure of the BJP chief is scheduled to end within the year; but there is a spot of trouble for them as party sources say that there would in all probability be no changes in the state executive till Parliamentary polls are over.

Ashok Parnami had been elected unopposed for his second term in December 2015 and Madan Lal Saini took over in June after Parnami resigned in April this year. But the state president’s term of three years comes to an end this month and there are quite a few who are are hoping that there is a change and they manage to get a share in the pie.   

BJP had given tickets to 110 sitting MLAs, ministers and relatives of sitting MLAs in the assembly elections.  Out of these only 40 managed to win again. Those who have lost elections include over a dozen ministers and two former state presidents.   

“Senior leaders will have to be adjusted in some respectable way. As the party is in opposition their first choice would be organisation posts; but seeing their large number; many could also be adjusted as prabharis at state level and at various districts and seats for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.” said a party functionary. 

But there is no talk within the party decision makers about any immediate move. Speaking to DNA, BJP state president Madan Lal Saini said, “There is no time-table for such inclusions. We could add a few persons if there is need of their expertise. But right now nothing can be said for sure.”

State incharge for Rajasthan Avinash Rai Khanna said, “The leaders have a responsibility. They have accepted the decision of the people and now they are working with the people to look into their issues and interests. We have an election coming up”        

After BJP lost 2008 Rajasthan elections; resignations has been sought from three top functionaries namely chief minister Vasundhara Raje; general secretary organisation Prakash Chand and state party chief Om Prakash Mathur; causing much upheaval within the party. But this time round BJP stands at a crucial juncture for two reasons; firstly the vital 2019 Parliamentary polls are round the corner and secondly the long deadlock has already been witnessed earlier this year over selection of a party president. A change in the organisation could disrupt the equilibrium that has been worked out and BJP is in no mood to do that.