Shah rules out change in city BJP

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 20

While different groups in the BJP were pressing for organisational change in the local unit, the party’s National President, Amit Shah, today hinted that there would be no immediate change in the local leadership.  

At present, Sanjay Tandon is the city BJP president. He was elected in January 2010. In January 2013, he was again reelected its president. According to the party constitution, a person can remain the party president for two consecutive terms only.

While replying to a query on holding organisational election for the Chandigarh BJP, Shah said: “Please spare Sanjay Tandon”. “The party is doing well in Chandigarh,” he added. 

On differences between city MP Kirron Kher and Tandon, Shah said Kirron was performing her role as Chandigarh MP very well and she was getting full support from Tandon and other BJP leaders. 

Last year, BJP national general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal had convened a meeting of senior leaders of the city unit. The BJP national vice-president and in charge of Chandigarh affairs of the party also had a word with BJP leaders and councillors in Chandigarh to seek their opinion on possible names for the post of party president. 

Sources said former mayor and BJP councillor Arun Sood, sitting Mayor Asha Jaswal, former senior deputy mayor and councillor Davesh Moudgil, general secretary (RSS umbrella community service organisation Sewa Bharti) Pradeep Sharma, nominated councillor Sat Parkash Aggarwal, BJP general secretary Chander Shekhar and vice-president Raghuvir Lal Arora’s names are also doing the rounds.

Stay united, Amit Shah tells leaders at late night meeting 

BJP national president Amit Shah on Saturday directed the local leaders to stay united and strengthen the party base in Chandigarh. Sources said Shah held a late night meeting of the city BJP's core committee at UT Guest House. At the meeting, which ended at 11 pm,  he reportedly directed senior party leaders to maintain  the winning momentum in Chandigarh.

Four camps in the city BJP UNIT

The Chandigarh unit of the BJP is divided into four camps — those of party president Sanjay Tandon, MP Kirron Kher, former MP Satya Pal Jain and former Union Minister Harmohan Dhawan.

Installation of BJP flags no violation

On the installation of party flags, BJP National President Amit Shah said that was not any kind of violation. On traffic jams witnessed during his road show, he said the party had no role in finalising the route. It was done by the UT Administration, Shah added.

BJP chief’s tips to core panel

Amit Shah has urged the Chandigarh BJP unit to work hard on the expansion of Vistarak Yojana, which was launched this year to mark the birth centenary of RSS icon Pandit  Deen Dayal Upadhayay and to ensure a massive win in the next general elections. Shah was briefing the core committee at the party office, Kamalam in Sector 33. Shah asked the leaders to launch a magazine, highlighting all 107 Central projects which had benefited the masses. He said workers act as the ‘spine’ for any party.