UMA BHARTI’S Bharatiya Janshakti Party (BJS) here is waiting in the wings, readying itself to make another dent in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Uma’s party is keeping a close watch on the Bharatiya Janata Party and plans to ‘grab’ BJP rebels, who are likely to come out in the open once allotment of tickets for local bodies elections was finalised.
The BJS has decided to contest for the mayor’s post and on at least 50 corporator seats in the city.
Interestingly, there are strong indications that senior Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) functionaries have also decided to support the Uma brigade.
This apart, Govindacharya, who was here on Monday, remained closeted with State BJS general secretary Viveksheel Shukla and gave his suggestion on poll strategy. Sources said that Shukla took the advice of the former BJP leader on the selection of candidates and ways to garner votes for the party.
There was some hint of the BJS poll strategy when the decided to put up a BJP rebel for the post of mayor. But Shukla refused to divulge the name of the rebel.
According to sources, the candidate is believed to have been a former people’s representative from the BJP.
{{/usCountry}}According to sources, the candidate is believed to have been a former people’s representative from the BJP.
{{/usCountry}}Talking to Hindustan Times, Shukla elaborated on the reason for giving priority to BJP rebel over others. He said that it was done to ensure that only those who hold an ideology close to the BJP should benefit. However, he said, if any BJP rebel was not found ‘fit enough’ to contest, then the BJS would prefer someone who had faith in Hindutva and a clean image.
The RSS has decision to support the BJS stems from a similar view of Hindutva. The RSS wants to ensure that the split should not benefit a non-Hindu party.
If there were no major change in the strategy, then four senior RSS functionaries would give final shape to the BJS election plan in the first week of October.