Vasundhara Raje revolts; BJP defers election for Rajasthan state chief

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): The foremost test for the newly appointed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari is to end the infighting in the BJP's Rajasthan unit. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje was successful in postponing a debatable election that was supposed to take place on Thursday for the post of Rajasthan BJP chief.

With this step taken by the BJP, it appears that Raje is still a favourite for the party in Rajasthan.

On Wednesday, Vasundhra Raje met Gadkari and complained over the irregularities in the election process. She mentioned that the list prepared was doctored, and her name was missing from the list of party workers who were supposed to vote. In reply, the BJP postponed the Rajasthan state chief election.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said the election has been postponed and the party will now decide on a plan to conduct the poll successfully.

"The party has decided to defer the election till the second week of February. A core committee will work out plan to hold election," he said.

Senior BJP leaders had no other option rather than delaying the poll, as Vasundhara Raje group was all geared up to field a candidate of their choice and assemble in Jaipur to show their strength.

The atmosphere inside the BJP headquarters was tensed on Wednesday night, as Nitin Gadkari and Vasundhra Raje sat in separate rooms and were not facing each other to discuss the issue. Later, the BJP leaders in a group briefed the media that the poll has been deferred in Rajasthan. (ANI)