Amit Shah backs RSS ‘credible faces’ stand

Following the RSS’ advice that the BJP needs to bring in more “credible and effective” faces in the organisation, party president Amit Shah has asked state units’ chief of the party to follow the same criteria while recommending names for the soon-to-be reconstituted national executive team of the party. The RSS’ advice was in response to the feedback it received of “growing disenchantment” against the BJP at the central as well as in states and also the fact that the Assembly elections in key states are also near. Mr Shah, it was learnt, had held more than one meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue. Mr Shah was re-elected to lead the BJP in January and the first meeting of the reconstituted national executive is expected to take place in March. Mr Shah is also likely to announce his new team.

Sources disclosed in his message to state chiefs, Mr Shah has asked names of only those who can “deliver and are credible” should be forwarded and not because they are close to some senior leader. The state units chief were asked to submit the list by the month-end. Factionalism in state units is a major cause of worry for the BJP leadership and the state chiefs have been asked to avoid giving preference to any faction while forwarding the names. Sources said the final list of names for the national executive will be cleared after Mr Shah discusses with other senior leaders and the PM.

Another reason for the RSS to ask the BJP to have “credible and effective faces” in the organisation was that the party often asks Central ministers to visit the party headquarters to brief the media on various issues.

Sources disclosed Mr Shah could also bring in some new faces in his team and could also promote some of the exisiting team members. Speculation is rife that party’s North-Central Mumbai’s MP and national secretary Poonam Mahajan could head the party’s youth wing. Current youth wing president and Hamirpur MP Anrurag Thakur, could be promoted as the national general secretary. In a surprise move, Vijaya Rahatkar, who was party’s women wing chief was sent back to home state Maharashtra to head the state women commission earlier this month.

Speculation is also rife that some Union ministers could also be brought back in the organisation, which could be followed by the much awaited Cabinet expansion.