Mumbai: A section within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is unhappy with the party decision to deny a ticket to Kirit Somaiya in the north east Mumbai constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. However, the senior MP will be adequately compensated for his “sacrifice” for the party, said party sources.
BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari expressed confidence that Mr Somaiya would be rehabilitated properly by the party. “Mr Somaiya is one of the top leaders of the party and his contribution to the party is immense. He has also worked hard for the party’s growth. The party will take a right decision to keep his honour intact,” he said.
However, not all are happy with the party’s decision. “Mr Somaiya was the loyal worker of the party. What he did during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls was in the interest of the party only. On this backdrop, there was a need to stand behind him strongly. Instead, the party denied him a ticket. It has sent a wrong signal that the party is ready to compromise for power at the cost of committed workers,” said a senior party worker.
According to BJP sources, the party decided to drop Mr Somaiya even after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray gave his consent to his nomination.
“There were reports that he would be defeated hands down from the constituency as there was a lot of resentment against him. Even the party’s survey suggested the same thing. So finally it was decided not to risk the loss by giving him a ticket,” said a senior BJP leader.
