A debate is also raging among senior BJP leaders on whether to retain Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad as the BJP’s chief spokesperson. With him being made deputy leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, the saffron mantra of “one man one post” could come in his way. Mr Advani is apparently in favour of Mr Prasad continuing as chief spokesperson though BJP chief Rajnath Singh is against any such post.
It was learnt that Mr Ananth Kumar and Mr Thawar Chand Gehlot would be part of Mr Rajnath Singh’s team of 11 general secretaries while RSS nominee Ram Lal would continue as general secretary (organisation). There would also be a candidate from the Northeast. A race is on between BJP women leaders Kiran Maheshwari and Saroj Pandey for a general secretary berth. Speculation is also rife that Mr Shahnawaz Hussain could be brought in as a general secretary.
Senior BJP leaders Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vinay Katiyar are likely to be included among the 13 vice-presidents. Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, who has emerged as an articulate speaker in the party, could continue as one of the six spokespersons. Hectic parleys were on for giving bigger roles to senior leaders like Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy.