Jaitley to review Gujarat poll strategy
After failing to get any information from Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi regarding poll-related strategy for the forthcoming Assembly polls, the BJP high command deputed Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley to get the ground level feed back from the Modi-ruled state.
Unlike Himachal Pradesh, another BJP-ruled state going to polls by the end of this year, whose senior leaders, including the chief minister, keep updating the central leadership about poll related activities, like probable candidates, Mr Modi is yet to apprise the central leadership in this regard. Mr Modi is often described as an “autocrat” by dissident leaders.
Mr Jaitley, who shares a good rapport with the Gujarat CM and was also the election campaign incharge of the state during the last Assembly polls, was asked by the BJP top brass to assess the situation in the poll-bound Gujarat. Mr Jaitley, considered as BJP’s main trouble shooter, is also Rajya Sabha MP from the state.
Sources disclosed though Mr Modi has sounded the poll bugle by launching various schemes and holding public meetings, the BJP top brass is still awaiting information in this regard from the state leadership. Sources disclosed BJP top brass has not held a single meeting regarding Gujarat polls as Mr Modi is yet to contact the central leadership to discuss the forthcoming polls in his state.
It could be mentioned here that dissident leaders have often accused Mr Modi of being “autocrat” and running a “one man show” by not consulting party colleagues or even the central leadership regarding important decisions.
Though the BJP is hopeful that it will retain power in the state, a section within the party feels dissidents, especially former CM Keshubhai Patel who has launched his own political outfit, might dent BJP’s votebank to some extent. Mr Patel has a strong influence in the Saurashtra region and the Patel community, which is considered as BJP’s major votebank in the state.
Post new comment