BJP sidelines party veteran V K Malhotra

New Delhi: The Delhi BJP has formed sub-committees to manage the municipal elections on Sunday evening. This is the first time that the senior party leader, V.K. Malhotra, has not been nominated to any of the committees. Party insiders say this shows generational change in leadership and the end of Prof Malhotra, Madan Lal Khurana, and Kedarnath Sahani era in Delhi BJP.

Among the famous trio, only Prof Malhotra was politically active in the last Delhi Assembly election held in 2015 and headed one of the campaign committee. During the last one year, he attended several meetings and functions at the state office. Among the other two, Mr Sahani passed away in October 2012 and Mr Khurana is bed ridden since the last six years and due to poor health conditions, he is not participating in any political activities. A party leader said that sidelining Prof Malhotra is a clear indication that the sun has set for senior leaders of the party who once built it. “May be the party is following the policies of Central leaderships, where L.K. Advani and other senior leaders have been sidelined as well. They have been made members of the ‘Marg Darshak Mandal.’ But it seems that the state leadership has completely ignored Prof Malhotra and is sending a message in loud and clear way by not nominating him in any of the committee,” he added. A section in the party also questioned the decision saying that in recent times this is one of the most inexperienced team in election exposure. “None of the general secretaries have any experience of leading the election from such a key position. Those who have experience have already been sidelined while forming the state team. Now, by ignoring Prof Malhotra, the party has lost an opportunity to benefit from his experience,” he said.

Delhi BJP leadership has also not included the state media in-charge, Pravin Shankar Kapoor, in any of the committees. Party sources said that younger leaders have been given responsibility to ensure victory in the upcoming polls and the decision has upset several old timers.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari has formed various committees for conducting various works related to the upcoming municipal elections. These committees include manifesto, finance, publicity and campaign, literature, public meeting and road show, exposing Delhi government, media, meeting with RWA and NGOs, discipline, election office, election commission, legal, social media, and call centre.