Bhopal: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has saved the post of state BJP president of Nandkumar Singh Chouhan on the pretext that by-elections are to be held in Mungawali and Kolaras and any change in leadership may affect the poll prospects.
BJP’s central leadership was to take a decision over removal of Nandkumar from the post of state BJP president in January. Chief minister has got the decision postponed till by-elections in the state. After Gujarat elections, BJP central leadership is preparing strategy for winning assembly elections to be held this year in eight states including Madhya Pradesh. Party’s central leaders have made up minds to change state president.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is making all efforts to ensure party’s win in both the by-elections. If BJP wins in these by-elections, Chouhan would ensure that Nandkumar continues as state president. In case BJP loses in by-elections, then it would be very difficult for chief minister to stop Nandkumar’s exit.
BJP’s central leadership is considering names for new state president. After union minister Narendra Singh Tomar’s refusal, the names doing rounds include public relations minister Narottam Mishra, MP Phaggan Singh Kulaste and Prahlad Patel.
The internal clashes inside BJP state organisation is rising. Nandkumar doesn’t seem to have a good rapport with organisation’s general secretary Suhas Bhagat. Due to rising factionalism within the party organisation, the central leadership is left with no option but to change the state president.
Bhagat has come from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) into BJP. Since BJP is not happy with Bhagat’s performance, only RSS can take a decision. The political activities in Delhi over state organisation have intensified. People are lobbying for the post.
