In MP, rebel trouble for BJP, Cong in RSS ‘shakha’ row

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 18

The BJP may have expelled 53 rebels over their refusal to withdraw from the election fray but its problems seem to be far from over in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress, too, may generate a “completely unnecessary issue” by a reference to RSS “shakhas” in its manifesto.

Sources in the know of developments in the state say it’s a “neck and neck” contest. “Both sides (BJP and Congress) have made big mistakes in the past few weeks, but their fate will be decided by who makes less mistakes before November 28,” they say.

Unable to convince them to withdraw on the last day, the BJP yesterday expelled big names, including former state ministers Ramkrishna Kusmaria and KL Agrawal, former Gwalior mayor Sameeksha Gupta and sitting MLAs Rajkumar Mev and Narendra Singh Kushwaha for six years.

State BJP leaders say denying tickets to big names “should have been avoided” considering their ability to not just influence their own seats but also adjacent constituencies.

BJP leaders, including vice-president Prabhat Jha, did all they could to persuade them to withdraw as independent candidates but in vain.

Local leaders fear that Kusmaria’s penetration within his community will not just affect the BJP in these two seats but also adjoining constituencies.

The Congress may have fared better in containing its rebels but then it created a “completely unnecessary issue” by referring to RSS “shakhas” in its manifesto. The manifesto under the “administration reforms” states that holding of RSS “shakhas” on government premises will be banned and the order regarding relaxation given to public servants to attend them revoked.

Nowhere does it say that RSS “shakhas” will be banned but observers say the Congress would have done better by leaving the issue for another day. “MP is the “garh” of RSS and to such a statement is not expected to be received well by people,” they say.

It’s Now or never, says Scindia

"Well best or not, it is now or never (opportunity to come back to power in Madhya Pradesh). Full stop. When I say now or never that says it all… Therefore, I want to put all my energy into campaign for the Congress." Jyotiraditya Scindia, Congress leader