New Delhi: Unhappy with differences within the party’s city unit, BJP central leadership is said to have decided to sideline two existing functionaries by authorising national vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe to take strategic decisions related to the upcoming civic polls.
According to party insider, general secretary (organisation) of the Delhi BJP as well as in-charge of the city unit have been sidelined by the central leadership and Mr Sahasrabuddhe has been given absolute powers to take all important decisions related to polls.
Sources said that the party has also identified around three dozen local leaders, including office-bearers and sitting councillors, against whom there were complaints of anti-party activities.
“The party has also decided to go for a major overhaul of the state unit after elections,” he said.
The party, which is in direct contest against the AAP and Congress in all the municipal wards in three corporations, is also wary of a possible revolt by a section of party leaders.
“There are around 32 identified partymen, incl-uding some sitting councillors, who are in a mood to revolt. A complaint against the organising secretary was that he was unable to check anti-party activities by them,” said a senior Delhi BJP leader.
It was also learnt that state leadership has also complained of anti-party activities of some leaders to national president Amit Shah.
The civic polls assume significance for the BJP as it is bound to face 10 years anti-incumbency in all the three municipal corporations. But, the party leadership’s bold decision of not fielding sitting councillors or their relatives is bound to reflect on the Narendra Modi’s government performance of two years at the Centre in the local body elections. Also, the party has fielded new faces who, in turn, will form a strong base to saffron outfit in the future polls.
Concerned over reports suggesting that disgruntled elements may sabotage civic elections, the central leadership is taking no chances.
