Bhopal: State president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nandkumar Singh Chauhan resigned on Tuesday. Chauhan said he had put down his papers before Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and sent it to the central leadership of the party for consideration.
The CM told journalists in Khargone that Nandkumar had expressed his desire to step down from the post of state party president, because he wanted to focus on his LokSabha constituency. Chouhan said that Nandkumar was requested to continue on the post but he did not wish to do that.
The CM said Nandkumar had worked as general secretary of the party four times and did a good job during his tenure as party chief. However, Nandkumar would continue to serve the party in some way or other, the CM said.
Nandkumar told journalists in Bhopal that he could not pay attention to his Lok Sabha constituency and wanted to do that. Nandkumar admitted that he had requested the CM to relieve him from the post of BJP state president. With Nandkumar offering his resignation, speculations about his successor has begun.
Legislative affairs minister Narottam Mishra along with Lal Singh Arya and Bhupendra Singh are in the fray. MP Phaggan Singh Kulaste and Rakesh Singh are also said to be in the race as they belong to tribal community. Nandkumar Singh said about his decision to quit the post in the meeting of BJP core group and office-bearers.
He said he tried to fulfill all responsibilities entrusted on him by the party and now wishes to pay attention to his constituency. Nandkumar’s 4 years sparked rows: Nandkumar Singh during his four years as state BJP president kicked up rows because of his statements. There were speculations about changing state BJP president after the party lost four by-elections.
Nandkumar has been removed considering the ensuing elections and his weak control over the party organisation. Jha was removed before assembly poll 2013: Prabhat Jha was also removed from the post of party president prior to the assembly elections in 2013 and was replaced by Narendra Singh Tomar. The BJP won the elections despite change in the guard. The national leadership of the party, by changing state BJP president this time too, is gearing up for the assembly elections.
