BJP ignores its own age rule for district chiefs

The BJP’s Haryana unit has overlooked its own guideline regarding the appointment of district presidents, with some appointees falling outside the prescribed 45-55 age bracket. The party had initially decided to assign these positions to leaders within this age range, but deviations from the rule have sparked discontent among the cadres.

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For instance, Ranvir Singh Dhaka, who is above 55, has been named the district president of Rohtak, while Yatender Rao, below 45, has been appointed in Mahendragarh. These exceptions have led to murmurs of dissent, though no formal objections have been lodged with the party leadership.

"What was the point of framing the rule if it was not going to be followed? Bhakti-kaal prevails in the BJP. The decision-making is centralised and even old workers have no say in party affairs. Protests are futile, as no one wants to risk being sidelined or expelled," said a BJP leader on condition of anonymity.

When contacted, Sandeep Joshi, incharge of the district president election process, clarified that the 45-55 age rule was only a preference, not a rigid criterion. "The party organisation considers multiple factors before making its decisions. The district presidents have been elected unanimously, and no complaints have been received," he said.

However, the unease within the party was evident, as several veteran BJP leaders and long-time workers stayed away from the felicitation ceremony of the newly appointed district president in Rohtak.