Evolving consensus a difficult task at hand

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 8

After electing the district presidents, the stage is set for electing the BJP president of the newly created UT of J&K. However, evolving a consensus among all is a difficult task at hand.

After the bifurcation of J&K into two UTs, the BJP will elect presidents for J&K and Ladakh UTs, respectively. The party high command has already appointed two observers for conducting the elections.

Although half a dozen leaders are in the fray for the top post, party leadership would try to take all aspirants into confidence before announcing the name.

Incumbent president Ravinder Raina, who was nominated as the chief of the erstwhile state of J&K on May 14, 2018, is also in the fray because he has not completed his tenure as the ‘elected’ president.

Raina had replaced Sat Sharma, who was inducted in the council of ministers headed by the then CM Mehbooba Mufti, on April 30, 2018.

“Although Raina has not completed his tenure, he is eligible for the next term. Many senior leaders, known for their organisational skills, are also trying for the top post,” a source said, adding that a clear picture would emerge within a couple of days because the election of the president of the UT of J&K will be held in the second week of December.

“As of now, no senior leader has openly staked claim for the president’s post, as most of the leaders are waiting for a signal from the Sangh Parivar,” a source said.