BJP to poach political leaders from rival parties

FPJ POLITICAL BUREAU MUMBAI:

With an eye on the 2014 elections, BJP has decided to rope in a mass leader or big leaders from other parties. In the past too, BJP has tried to bring veteran Congress leader A. R. Antulay to its fold,

but at the last moment Antulay changed his mind and stayed in Congress.

BJP, which has been out of power since 2004, has now chalked out a mission for bringing key leaders of politically important states into the BJP fold. This mission was originally devised by Atal Behari Vajpayee during the NDA regime. During those days, BJP was missing a prominent Muslim leader which was well- known at the national and international level. For these reasons, he was eager to have Antulay in his cabinet. Vajpayee was a fan of Antulays style of working during his tenure as Maharashtra CM. Antulay was offered the Deputy PMs post with the promise of making him the President in future.

RSS too supported the move.

Then Law and Judiciary Minister Ram Jethmalani had a series of talks with Antulay.

Antulay later sought advice from P. V. Narsimharao who too told him to accept the offer.

However, at the last moment, Antulay conveyed that he did not wish to leave Congress in the last phase of life.