Disgruntled BJP leaders undermine party’s election efforts with covert support for rivals

Marh leader expresses dismay over BJP ticket distribution, contemplates quitting politics

JAMMU: In a damage control effort and douse the simmering discontent among the old heavyweights, Bharatiya Janata Party, though has embarked upon a resuscitation approach, yet it seems it is failing to manage behind the scene at various constituency levels.
The activity being read between the lines suggest that many of the ‘disgruntled probable’ who had held high stakes for themselves for getting party tickets to contest assembly elections are now waging a clandestine war against the party.
These disgruntled leaders, many of whom were hopeful of receiving the party ticket, are now covertly working against the BJP, either by supporting opposition candidates or by fielding independent contenders in their constituencies.
Some leaders, such as Chander Mohan Sharma and the state vice president of the BJP, have taken a more direct approach, openly criticizing the party. Others, however, have resorted to more subtle means of undermining the BJP’s electoral efforts, creating an environment of internal discord that could potentially damage the party’s chances.
"All is not well within the party regarding ticket distribution," sources within the BJP reveal, pointing to resentment among veteran leaders who feel sidelined by the decision to nominate 'parachute candidates'—newcomers with little grassroots connection—to key positions.
The rising rebellion became more evident as resignations began piling up from district-level party units, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. Notable figures such as Kashmir Singh, former chief of the BJP’s Jammu district unit, and Chander Mohan Sharma, who had been a senior party leader, were among those stepping down. In response, the BJP moved quickly to enact a damage control strategy by appointing Sat Sharma as the working president of the state unit.
To shore up its campaign machinery for the impending Assembly elections, the party also appointed senior leaders Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta as heads of the campaign committee and election management committee, respectively, and designated Choudhary Sukhnandan as the vice president of the election campaign committee.
Despite these moves, the internal dissatisfaction persists. While the appointments of these seasoned leaders may have appeared tactful, many within the party are unsatisfied, as the reshuffling effectively sidelines them from any substantial power for the next five years, assuming the BJP forms the government.
One senior BJP leader, speaking anonymously, remarked, "The party has made a smart move, but the old guard feels this keeps them out of the game for the next five years if the new candidates win."
Chander Mohan Sharma’s decision to resign from the BJP’s primary membership to contest the elections from the Jammu East constituency signals the intensity of the discontent. State vice president Pawan Khajuria has also issued a stark warning to the party over its decision for Udhampur, hinting that he may also run as an independent candidate if the BJP leadership does not reconsider its position.
In Marh, another important constituency, Sukhnandan Chaudhary, who holds significant influence, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the political landscape. Although he has not explicitly stated any intention to leave the BJP, Chaudhary did acknowledge that his constituents are uncomfortable with the current ticket distribution.
He mentioned that if the situation does not improve, he may consider leaving politics altogether, despite being assigned a critical role as vice president of the election campaign committee by BJP national president J.P. Nadda.
Despite the high-profile appointments of Sat Sharma, Nirmal Singh, and Kavinder Gupta to manage the forthcoming elections, those close to these leaders suggest that they are far from pleased with the developments. Speculation has arisen that they may announce further surprises in the near future.
As insiders note, the formation of a government under the Lieutenant Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to run its full five-year term, leaving these veteran leaders with limited opportunities for influence or advancement.
This long-term sidelining, coupled with the presence of new faces within the party's ranks, continues to fuel dissatisfaction among the BJP’s old guard, setting the stage for potential complications as the party moves toward the Assembly elections.

Updated On 9/11/2024 12:36:34 AM