After Delhi poll rout, BJP on lookout for new unit chief

Vibha Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 18

The BJP, it seems, has made up its mind to relieve northeast Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari of his charge as the state unit president. Sources say BJP general secretary Murlidhar Rao and women wing president Vijaya Rahatkar have sought the views of Delhi leaders on the matter.

It is unlikely that after the BJP’s embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Kejriwal-led AAP in the recent Delhi Assembly elections, the leadership would like to give Tiwari another chance. “With the party aiming for a third consecutive run in the 2022 municipal corporation elections, it would like to take the views of everyone before it makes the choice,” they said.

In any case, the change is also long overdue as Tiwari, whose tenure ended last year, was given an extension due to the Delhi elections. But the way the BJP fared in the polls and past experiences prove that the deeply divided unit needs a complete overhaul and a leader who can take everyone along.

Apparently, at an internal meeting Home Minister Amit Shah said his assessment that the Congress would get 18 to 20 per cent of votes to BJP’s advantage was wrong. The BJP needs to start working with the aim of 51 per cent vote share and a situation where it might have to engage in direct fight with a strong regional party, not just in Delhi but in other states as well.

What was also surprising was the way various communities voted in Delhi in the recent elections. While a large number of Sikhs and Punjabis chose AAP over the BJP, Purvanchali voters, who Tiwari represents, opted for the BJP. “It proves that to win equal representation from all sections is the need of the hour in Delhi unit of the BJP,” say observers.

Meanwhile, several names are doing the rounds, but it seems party president JP Nadda wants a young and new face, preferably someone with the background of student/university politics, to fill the gaps.