Party nudges BJP to sink differences to defeat AAP

NEW DELHI: In its first preparatory meeting for the forthcoming Delhi Assembly polls, the BJP state unit was directed to keep differences aside and work unitedly to defeat incumbent AAP government to return to power after 21 years. In the meeting, chaired by BJP national general secretary Ramlal, it was decided that all the seven Lok Sabha members will keep an eye on functioning of party-ruled three municipal corporations.

Except Union minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, all the six Lok Sabha members — Manoj Tiwari, Ramesh Bidhuri, Parvesh Verma, Gautam Gambhir, Meenakshi Lekhi and Hansraj Hans — were present in the marathon three-and-half hour meeting. Former Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay and Vijay Goel, leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta, state general secretaries Ravinder Gupta, Rajesh Bhatia, Kuljeet Chahal and Siddarthan were also present in the meeting.

A BJP leader present in the meeting told this newspaper that it was decided all the senior leaders present in meeting must discuss and resolve their differences within the room instead of talking about it in public. “Everyone present in the meeting agreed that it will be difficult to dislodge the Arvind Kejriwal government without putting an united effort,” he added.

It was also decided that consensus must be built on issues and strategy must be drawn to corner the Kejriwal government. “Apart from differences within party, it was decided that a coordinated effort must be put while raising any issue against the Kejriwal government and it must be reflected in action and words,” said another leader present in the meeting.

Failure of BJP ruled municipal corporations to provide civic amenities were also discussed in the meeting.

It was decided that all the seven MPs and state leadership regularly meet the civic leadership at regular intervals and review work done by the corporations. “Everyone felt that negative image of municipal corporations adversely affect the party in assembly polls. With about six months in hand, by proper monitoring and review image of civic bodies can be changed,” said a BJP leader.

“Short discussion was held to address the demand of contractual employees in different department and organisation. Everyone was asked to come with solve the demand of contractual employees in legal framework,” said a party insider.