Satender replaces Jai Prakash as city BJP V-P

New Delhi: In a significant political development, the Delhi BJP president, on Monday, appointed Satender Singh as vice president of the state unit in place of Jai Prakash, who is considered to be close to Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel.

Sidelining Mr Prakash is being interpreted in the political circles as an attempt by Manoj Tiwari sending a clear message to his rivals that those who do not toe his line could be axed from the state organisation.

Soon after Mr Tiwari tweeted about the new appointments he had effected in the organisational set up, some party workers were of the view that the step had been taken to send a clear message to the rival camp that all within the party needed to follow his dictates.

Apart from Mr Singh, Mr Tiwari also appointed Vijay Pandit and Pawan Rathi as president and general secretary of the party’s Mehrauli district.

The new appointments came as a surprise for both Mr Shyam Jaju, the party’s in-charge of Delhi unit, and Mr Goel.

Interestingly, Mr Tiwari’s camp claimed the decision was taken with the consent of state general (organisation) Siddharthan. Questions within the organisation were also raised about the timing of Mr Prakash’s removal when it was earlier conveyed that no new appointments would be made till the organisational polls were over.

“Organisational polls are postponed in view of upcoming Delhi Assembly polls, but the direction still stands that no new appointments would be made,” said a party leader.

Of late, there have been differences between Mr Tiwari and Mr Goel over a host of issues concerning the organisational set up in the party. There have been occasions when Mr Goel has held protests over different issues independently and Mr Tiwari openly conveyed his displeasure.