BJP reaches out to old guard, party veterans keep up the heat

The statement of former party president and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari saying that the BJP central leadership was discussing with party stalwarts the issues raised by them on the party’s dismal performance in Bihar polls. Gadkari, who is close to the RSS camp, also denied having suggested disciplinary action against the veterans.

The BJP veterans, who have raised a banner of revolt against the party leadership, on Friday held deliberations among themselves. In a major development, poll strategist Prashant Kishor met rebel BJP leader Arun Shourie. 

The meeting between the two is seen as crucial as Kishor had left Narendra Modi’s camp to script victory for Nitish Kumar in Bihar. Shourie, who had drafted the veterans’ dissent note, had on earlier occasions criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s style of governance.

On Friday, Yashwant Sinha met LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi separately, while Shanta Kumar, the fourth member of the veterans’ group, which had issued a strongly-worded statement, welcomed the party’s efforts to reach out to them, saying “dialogue must continue”.

“The party’s response is good, positive. Arun Jaitley met Advani and Joshiji. A dialogue has begun and it should continue. I am satisfied,” Kumar said.

Senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu also said the party will listen to the veterans and Home Minister Rajnath Singh is also learnt to have stressed on the need to engage with them. 

Gadkari, Naidu and Singh are former party chiefs and had issued a statement on BJP’s behalf soon after the four veterans launched their attack.

In a statement released by Gadkari from Nagpur, the minister said that party elders including LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi “are our highly respected leaders and neither I nor any other party functionary has ever shown any disrespect to them and there was absolutely no question of anyone suggesting calling for an explanation from them and not the least demanding disciplinary action against them.”