Exodus leaves party in lurch

Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, February 4

Ahead of the municipal council elections, the “exodus” of sitting BJP councillors has left the saffron party in the lurch. In the 2015 civic body polls, the party had put up an impressive show by winning 19 out of the 31 wards.

However, things have changed drastically over the past few years, especially after the demise of former state BJP chief Kamal Sharma, who wielded both respect and support amidst party rank and file here, in 2019. Later, two-time BJP MLA Sukhpal Singh Nannu got embroiled in some controversies due to which he could not maintain strong rapport with supporters.

The latest farmer agitation has further added to the party’s woes as several leaders, including sitting councillors, have switched over to other parties, further eroding the party base.

A few months ago, the BJP high command had deputed ex-ADGP Rajinder Prashad Mittal, who had joined the party after retirement, to consolidate the party base in the border district. Mittal has been meeting senior BJP leaders in the district to revive the party functioning.

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