In an apparent bid to quell dissent within its ranks in Jharkhand, the BJP national leadership has appointed a new working president for the party’s state unit.
On Saturday, BJP National President JP Nadda named former MP Ravindra Kumar Rai as the new working president of the party in Jharkhand, with the appointment taking effect immediately.
A statement from BJP headquarters read, “Bharatiya Janata Party National President Jagat Prakash Nadda has appointed Dr. Ravindra Kumar Rai, former Member of Parliament, as the working president of BJP Jharkhand.”
Reports indicate that the move followed speculation that Rai might join the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) after he was denied a party ticket.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also serves as an election in-charge for Jharkhand, met with Rai to address the situation. Following their meeting, Rai dismissed rumours of defection, reaffirming his commitment to the BJP.
After the BJP released its first list of 66 candidates for the upcoming Jharkhand elections, significant discontent emerged among several party leaders and aspiring candidates who were denied tickets.
Senior BJP leader Louis Marandi joined the JMM alongside several others. Marandi has been given a ticket by the JMM to contest from the Jama constituency.
Several leaders who were denied BJP tickets have also filed nominations as independent candidates from their respective constituencies.
Recognising the gravity of the situation, the party’s National Organisational General Secretary BL Santosh instructed election in-charges Himanta Biswa Sarma, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, and other senior leaders, including BJP Jharkhand President Babulal Marandi, to meet with discontented leaders to calm the discord.
The assembly elections for Jharkhand’s 81 seats are scheduled to take place in two phases, on November 13 and 20.
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