BJP'S SECOND-RUNG leaders Pramod Mahajan and Arun Jaitley are likely to figure prominently, as general secretaries, in the team to be announced by new party chief Rajnath Singh. Mahajan has already said he has no problems with Rajnath Singh.
But Venkaiah Naidu and Kalyan Singh, vice-presidents under L.K. Advani, may choose to opt out. Having served as party chief before, Naidu may not like to work under Rajnath Singh. Kalyan may opt out also. The internal politics of the BJP in UP is such that he cannot see eye to eye with the Rajnath Singh.
Left to himself, Rajnath Singh may not like to make drastic changes. Yet, he has to fill vacancies caused by the exit of leaders who served Advani.
Rajnath Singh's toughest task is to find a successor to Sanjay Joshi, who was BJP general secretary (organisation). Joshi had to quit in the wake of alleged sex video tapes circulated against him. Hitherto, the post of general secretary (organisation) has always been held by a RSS "full-timer".
BJP insiders say Rajnath Singh may have to ask one of the senior BJP leaders to be general secretary (organisation) if the RSS cannot depute someone from the Sangh for the post.
BJP insiders say Rajnath Singh may have to ask one of the senior BJP leaders to be general secretary (organisation) if the RSS cannot depute someone from the Sangh for the post.