New Delhi: With alarm bells ringing in Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi’s home state-Gujarat, the BJP could possibly take time to name a successor to the state chief minister, Ms Anandiben Patel, who resigned on Monday. She had also announced her decision on the Facebook. The exercise to name her successor could be finalised after Independence Day.
The BJP's Parliamentary Board, which was expected to meet on Tuesday evening to take a final call on the issue has been delayed as the prime minister was preoccupied. The Parliamentary Board could possibly meet on Wednesday.
Besides other names, speculations are rife that the BJP chief, Mr Amit Shah could possibly be rushed to Gujarat to replace Ms Patel following the volatile situation in the state.
Other top leaders and strategists were of the opinion that if Mr Shah was sent to Gujarat at this juncture, BJP’s electoral game plan in Uttar Pradesh could take a major hit and the party, which has lost Delhi and Bihar cannot afford to lose the high-stake UP Assembly polls. Also being “closest” to the Prime Minister, Mr Shah moving out of Delhi could lead to major organisational problems.
What was also worrying for the party was BSP chief, Ms Mayawati’s proposed visit to Una on Thursday to meet the Dalit family members, who were assaulted after they were found allegedly skinning a dead cow. The cow was reportedly killed by a lion.
Ms Mayawati’s visit in Una has become a major cause of concern for the BJP not merely in the state but also for the forthcoming UP assembly polls. Earlier, comprising only 7.1 per cent of the total population in Gujarat, the ruling BJP had never been worried about the dalit vote bank.
However, with UP elections approaching and the Patidar community, comprising 20 per cent of the total population up in arms against the state government, BJP leaders are a worried lot.
