BJPleader junks rift rumour in UP

Vibha Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 2

Praising CMYogi Adityanath, top BJPleader BL Santhosh has said the Uttar Pradesh government “effectively managed” the second Covid wave, bringing down the daily case count by 93 per cent. The endorsement came after a two-day “review” meeting in Lucknow amid widespread criticism against CM Adityanath over “mismanagement” of the pandemic and speculations of a possible reshuffle in his government and the state BJP.

“Remember it’s a state with (a population of) 20 plus crore. When municipality CMs could not manage a city of 1.5 crore population, Yogi managed quite effectively,” said the BJP general secretary (organisation).

Though the state leaders have always said the review meeting by central leaders, which included Santhosh and BJP’s state incharge Radha Mohan Singh, was related to preparations for the UP poll scheduled next year, speculations are rife about changes in the Adityanath cabinet and BJP’s state organisation-led by chief Swatantra Dev Singh.

Apparently, there are rumblings in the state BJP that Singh “is also not being able to spread the right message”. Observers say “it is obvious that ahead of the UP elections, the BJP does not want to give an impression that there is any issue/problem within the party. Adityanath has a hold on 25-30 seats and can influence results in an equal number of constituencies ”.