6 months after naming poll observer, BJP drags feet on state chief

Over six months after initiating the election process of the Haryana BJP chief by naming party general secretary Arun Singh as observer, the party is still dragging its feet on the election of the new incumbent.

A series of unexpected events, including February-March municipal elections, India-Pak conflict in May and no urgency to appoint the new state chief seems to have delayed the process for the selection-cum-election for the top post.

Arun Singh was mandated to complete the process, including filing of nominations, scrutiny and withdrawal of candidature within three days. The 27 district presidents and 90 Vidhan Sabha chiefs were to form the electoral college for the election.

A senior leader told "The Tribune" that the party high command could pick up the next party chief “anytime”, adding that the high command’s choice was never questioned in a disciplined party like the BJP. However, the high command still wanted to take senior leaders, including Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar, on board to arrive at the "unanimous choice" for the top post, he said.

In the backdrop of its third consecutive win in the 2024 Assembly elections, the BJP swiftly began internal restructuring — conducting booth- and mandal-level polls. Elections to the district elections were also completed after a brief break due to the municipal elections.

Current BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, a prominent Brahmin face, was appointed state president in July last year succeeding Nayab Singh Saini, who was elevated as the Chief Minister. The duo —representing Brahmin and OBC communities — was instrumental in BJP’s hat-trick win in Haryana and subsequent municipal victories.

Given his "performance", Badoli’s re-nomination was seen as a foregone conclusion. However, allegations of gangrape filed by a woman from Delhi against him and singer Rocky Mittal on January 14 put his future in limbo. Though the case fizzled out after a closure report by the Himachal Pradesh Police, speculation about a leadership change gained  momentum within the party circles.

Besides Badoli, other names like that of former MP Sanjay Bhatia, ex-minister Manish Grover and Ajay Gaur have been doing the rounds for a long time. Moreover, the current state unit has three general secretaries: Krishan Bedi, Archana Gupta and Surinder Punia. Badoli was a general secretary before his elevation.