BJP, a divided house in saffron citadel

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Varanasi, Mar 30 (UNI) Plagued by internal tussles, the BJP appears to be on a sticky wicket in Varanasi -- long considered a saffron citadel -- which goes to assembly poll on May 3.

Failing to get their voice heard before the party leadership, the disgruntled, particularly young BJP workers here, have established contact with firebrand Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath, who after leaving BJP has decided to field candidates in 14 East UP districts under banner of Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha.

The alliance with the Apna Dal-JD(U) has further fuelled discontent among a large chunk of party workers, who were for fighting the poll on their own.

The party presently holds three of the five seats in Varanasi district, including Varanasi (Cantonment), Varanasi (South) and Kolasala.

The manifestions of divisions in district BJP came to fore on Monday, with city's former deputy-mayor Sanjay Rai leading a group of young party activists to stage a demonstration outside the city party headquarters against ''neglect of aspirations of local party workers in allotment of tickets for five seats of the district.'' ''We are not going to tolerate this utter neglect by state and central leadership while alloting ticket,'' Mr Rai, who was strong candidate for being alloted the party ticket from Varanasi (Cantonment) constituency said.

Interestingly, this seat has been triumphed by the saffron party in the last four assembly polls, with present candidate Jyotsana Srivastava winning in 1991 and 1993, while her better half and former UP finance minister Harish Chandra Srivastava tasting victory in 1996 and 2002.

''We are not against the veteran Srivastava couple, but want change especially in line with the party's formula of giving tickets to youth,'' noted Mr Rai.

''We will be left with no options, but to either contest the polls as independent candidate or else boycott the election, if the party does not relent,'' said Mr Rai who has been a popular municipal corporator from Sonia locality of the city.

If his supporters are to be believed, the refusal by party leadership to change the candidate could force Mr Rai to contest the poll with the blessings of Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath.

MORE UNI

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X