Intense factionalism in BJP Kerala unit is denting party's prospects

A Kerala BJP leader accused of taking bribes has been expelled from the party

Intense factionalism in Kerala unit of the BJP is not just embarrassing the party but is denting its clean image. The leaked internal probe report of Kerala BJP unit has robbed it of its only trump card against the LDF and UDF, 'anti-corruption'. But what is more embarrassing to the BJP and RSS? The corruption allegation or factionalism that is denting its prospects in Kerala?

State BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan has been pulled up by the senior leadership of the BJP as well as the RSS over not just the allegations of bribery but also over the internal probe report being leaked. B L Santosh, the BJP's National Joint Organising Secretary is said to have lambasted Rajasekharan for refusing to initiate any action against Vinod, accused of taking bribes until the report's findings were made public.

Change of guard in the offing?

Kummanam Rajasekharan, an RSS man who is at the helm of affairs of BJP in Kerala is being pulled up by his parent organisation. During a core committee meeting held on Saturday, Rajasekharan is said to have told B L Santosh that the internal committee that probed the allegations was set up in total secrecy and that he did not expect it to be leaked. His statement only made it clear that a rift was eating up the Kerala BJP and threatened to disrupt the party's progress in the state.

One faction of the BJP Kerala unit is said to have deliberately leaked the report nailing convenor of cooperation cell RS Vinod for accepting bribes to get MCI nod for a medical college. Party members, irate with Rajashekharan refusing to take action against the accused leader, are said to have leaked it to the media. The allegation, as well as the deliberate leak that exposes the rift in Kerala BJP, came as an embarrassment to the BJP.

Rajasekharan's handling of corruption allegations against Vinod has led the RSS to question his leadership. While a sound RSS background pushed Rajasekharan up the ladder in Kerala BJP, he has failed to assert his political standing. This is the primary reason for factions within the BJP in the state.

Factionalism is eating up the Kerala BJP from within

The bribery charges against Vinod and Rajasekharan's reluctance to take action against him are far less embarrassing to the BJP than the fact that an internal squabble and factionalism led to the leaking of the report. The allegation is a loss of face for the party that time and again called UDF and LDF governments 'flag bearers of corruption'.

Fully aware that RSS' Hindutva agenda may not strike a chord in Kerala, the BJP hoped to make 'anti-corruption' and 'transparency' its strength. The recent developments dent the very values, that the NDA-driven BJP hoped to sail through with in Kerala.

OneIndia News