BJP softens stand on Kalyan’s return
Rumblings have begun and quiet efforts are on to bring former BJP leader Kalyan Singh back into the party fold. Mr Kalyan Singh, who left the party last year on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections, alleging humiliation by party leaders on the issue of ticket distribution, is said to be “not very keen but open to the idea of returning to the BJP though.”
State BJP president Surya Pratap Shahi, known to be close to Mr Kalyan Singh, had recently paid a visit to the latter’s residence in Lucknow. Though he termed the visit as “personal”, he added that the possibility of Mr Singh’s return to the BJP could not be ruled out completely.
“Mr Kalyan Singh has been a prominent leader of the party and we have formed two governments under his leadership. I cannot rule out the possibility of his return to the party but the final decision in this regard will be taken by the central leadership of the party,” Mr Shahi said.
Speculations about the veteran leader’s return to the BJP fold has further been strengthened following reports of Ms Uma Bharti’s return to the BJP. Ms Uma Bharti is a staunch supporter of Mr Kalyan Singh and both, at one time, represented the backward face of the BJP.
A section of the BJP that is opposed to former BJP president Rajnath Singh is also said to be working overtime to bring Kalyan Singh back into the party fold.
“Jaswant Singh, Uma Bharti and Kalyan Singh were shown the door by Rajnath Singh who did not want anyone to challenge his supremacy in the party. The return of these leaders will balance out the power play in the party — more so because Rajnath Singh is no longer calling the shots,” said a senior party leader.
Another factor that is driving Mr Kalyan Singh closer to the BJP is his concern for a secure political future for his son Rajvir Singh. His Jan Kranti Party that was launched seven months ago remains a non-starter and Mr Singh is keen to establish his son before he retires.
Though Mr Kalyan Singh insists that the “BJP is a closed chapter for me”, his supporters admit that in the new set up in the BJP (read minus Rajnath Singh) the possibility of Jan Kranti Party merging back into the BJP cannot be ruled out. After, as they say, politics is a game of changing possibilities.
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