BJP councillors at Goel function may face action

New Delhi: Terming the party councillors’ presence at the reception hosted by Union minister Vijay Goel as an act of indiscipline, the Delhi BJP leadership has decided to seek explanation from them. The party leadership had conveyed to the newly elected BJP councillors to not attend the function hosted by Mr Goel at his official residence at Ashoka Road last week. The Delhi BJP leadership is also planning not to give any key responsibilities in the three municipal corporations to the councillors present in the function.

This is one of the reasons behind the delay in the announcement of the leaders of House of the civic bodies. On May 16, Mr Goel hosted a felicitation function for the newly elected BJP councillors at his residence. The Delhi BJP leadership had called the newly elected councillors the night before the reception saying that they should not attend the function organised by the Union minister as it was not a party function. Sources said that about 50 BJP councillors, defying the state leadership d
irective, attended the function. The Delhi BJP leadership, however, has prepared a list of only 26 councillors who were present in the function.

A senior state office bearer told this newspaper that calling it an act of indiscipline, the leadership has decided to seek explanation from them. “Showcause notices will be sent and they will be asked to personally explain the reasons which forced them to defy the state leadership directive,” he added.

The party has also taken serious note on the inefficiency of some councillors who were assigned to convey the message of leadership to the remaining newly elected members in the corporations.

“Some councillors, whose names were announced for key positions in the civic bodies, not only failed to implement the party direction but also attended Mr Goel’s function which has made the leadership unhappy,” said the sources.

The Delhi BJP had earlier communicated with the newly elected councillors Sikha Rai and Jai Prakash, both state vice presidents, about their appointment as leader of House in South and North Delhi Municipal Corporation respectively. The party has also communicated with Santosh Pal about his appointment as leader of House in East Delhi Municipal Corporation. Delhi BJP, however, has not issued any letter confirming the appointment of these councillors as leader of House in the three civic bodies.

A senior party functionary said that after discussions, new names would be announced before a proper first meeting of each corporation.

“Right now, administration of oath of the newly elected councillors and the election of mayor, deputy mayor, and members of standing committee are taking place in the House meeting. The leader of House will be appointed before the next House meeting,” he added.