‘Several BJP MLAs angry with leaders, but not speaking up’

BJP MLA Gyan Deo Ahuja takes a dig at chief minister Vasundhara Raje days after party MLA Ghanshyam Tiwari hinted at breaking away from the BJP and floating a new political outfit

BJP MLA Gyan Deo Ahuja, known for making controversial statements, has fired a latest salvo, saying several BJP MLAs are angry with party leaders but don’t have the guts to openly voice their feelings.

BJP MLA Gyan Deo Ahuja said Raje had destroyed inner party democracy and was running a “one woman show.” (HT Photo)

Ahuja made the statement in context of the open criticism of the BJP government and chief minister Vasundhara Raje by another party MLA Ghanshyam Tiwari.

Speaking at the BJP office here, Ahuja said Tiwari’s remarks were valid and several other MLAs were similarly angry with the party but were afraid to speak openly.

Tiwari, a known critic of Raje, has several times given vent to his dislike for the chief minister for destroying inner party democracy and running a “one woman show”. He has said workers and MLAs were unhappy for being sidelined.

Tiwari has also hinted at breaking away from the BJP and floating a new political outfit for which he says the time is ripe in Rajasthan.

Ahuja, however, advised Tiwari that he should not leave the party but continue to work in it.

BJP MLAs and workers have at different fora expressed their unhappiness at being ignored by party leaders and minister though none have openly voiced criticism. But once in a while discordant notes keep coming to the fore.

Last week, senior BJP leader and former MLA Devi Singh Bhatti, also a Raje detractor, showed his opposition to appointment of new Bikaner BJP district (rural) president Sahiram Dusad. The party had removed earlier president Vishwanath Meghwal, saying he could not hold two posts as he is also parliamentary secretary.

Bhatti, in a press conference, said the party had not consulted local leaders but had imposed their choice. Bhatti said Dusad, a Jat, was a relative of leader of opposition in the state assembly Rameshwar Dudi and was an outsider.

Asked if any disciplinary action was proposed to be taken against Ahuja, BJP state unit president Ashok Parnami said Ahuja denied making these statements. “I spoke to Ahuja but he told me he had not made any such statement,” Parnami said.

On Bhatti’s allegations, Parnami said it was difficult in a party to have unanimity on candidates to be appointed. “He has voiced his views which he has a right to do. We will talk to him and sort out issues.”