Feeling neglected, BJP's old hands rue their fate

Mumbai: Citing the example of how the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has selected the candidate for the Council by-poll, old-timers have alleged that loyalty has no value in the saffron outifit nowadays.  

Madhav Bhandari, Shaina N.C., and a few other leaders, who are seen as old hands, lost their shot at becoming a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC).

“This is worse than the Congress. There you get recognition for loyalty at least,” said a frustrated senior BJP leader. Mr Lad’s candidature has been cited as another example of the BJP giving importance to leaders who joined the party after it hit its stride in the state. Pravin Darekar, who was earlier with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), joined BJP and became an MLC before the Council elections. R.N. Singh, who was reportedly close to former Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh, was also elected as MLC just after he joined BJP. In the Assembly too, there are several newcomers to BJP who had received a ticket for the 2014 Assembly elections. “Those who fought for a party for years are being neglected now. They are not getting their dues in spite of the party wielding such power in the state,” said a senior BJP state functionary.

According to sources, Mr Bhandari was assured an MLC ticket from the party in 2016. A few leaders indicate that he could be accommodated in June 2018 when there will be an election for 11 MLC seats.