New Delhi: Amid speculation of his resignation after humiliating defeat of party in Assembly polls, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari on Wednesday said that neither has he offered to step down nor has he been asked to resign from the post in the wake of the party’s poor performance in the assembly elections in the national capital.
Sources, however, claimed that Mr Tiwari had contacted a top party functionary and offered to step down as the party’s city unit president after the BJP suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
“Neither have I been asked to resign nor have I offered my resignation,” Mr Tiwari told reporters. On Tuesday, addressing a press conference after the announcement of Delhi Assembly election results, Mr Tiwari had said whether he continues as Delhi BJP chief or steps down is an “internal matter” of the party.
The BJP, which was hoping to return to power in the national capital after more than two decades, was restricted to a eight seats in the 70-member Delhi Assembly by the AAP. The AAP won the remaining 62 seats.
Mr Tiwari, who was appointed as Delhi BJP president in November 2016, has already completed his three-year tenure. The organisational elections of the party due last year were postponed because of the assembly elections.
But sources said that BJP’s Delhi unit likely to see complete overhaul in organizational structure after February 20.
“The appointment of new state president which is already due will now imminent and it will place after February 20,” he added.
It is also learnt that Delhi BJP Yuva Morch president Sunil Yadav, who contest polls against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, and Ravinder Negi, who lost a tight fight to deputy chief minister Manish Sisodida, are likely to be rewarded for their incredible performance.
“Mr Yadav reduced the victory margin of Mr Kerjiwal by 10,000 votes while Mr Negi gave a tough fight to Mr Sisodia. Party likely top reward them with some bigger responsibilities in coming days,” a party insider added.
