The battle for chief ministership has begun in the Rajasthan BJP even though Assembly polls are still over a year away, with former chief minister Vasundhara Raje trying to block attempts by opponents to secure political mileage.
Upset over RSS-backed Gulabchand Kataria’s “unilateral” decision on a statewide “Lok Jagran Yatra”, Ms Raje threatened to resign, and a number of her loyalists, including several MLAs, also submitted letters of resignation to her. Her supporters want the party’s top leaders to announce her name as CM candidate well ahead of next year’s Assembly polls. And while Mr Kataria claimed he had got the leadership’s permission for his yatra, he quickly cancelled it after Ms Raje’s move.
The BJP has officially denied any rift in its state unit and said there was no question of Ms Raje resigning. But sensing the gravity of these developments, the leadership has asked both factions to reach New Delhi soon. Ms Raje, Mr Kataria and some others are likely to meet BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Monday.
It is learnt Ms Raje is also miffed with the BJP in-charge for the state, Kaptan Singh Solanki, for not consulting her on the yatra issue. Both Mr Kataria and Mr Solanki are considered close to the RSS. It was in fact at the RSS’ insistence that Ms Raje was forced to quit as Leader of the Opposition after the last Assembly polls, which the BJP lost badly. She was later restored to the post.
Sources said Ms Raje, who was assured by the central leadership that the 2013 Assembly polls would be fought under her leadership, wants her name clearly declared as the next CM candidate. Her supporters, including MLAs and MPs, have been gathering at her Civil Lines residence since Sunday morning to mobilise support. Her supporters claim over 60 MLAs are with her. The BJP has 79 MLAs in the 200-member state Assembly.