JOIN USA day before new Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay formally takes charge, there were rumblings in the party over his hanging on to the post of Standing Committee chairman in South Corporation despite the elevation in the party set-up.
Disgruntled party leaders mentioned principles like “one man, one post” and said the central leaders should quickly address their grievance.
Some BJP leaders are even hoping to corner the post in the civic agency once Upadhyay gives it up. Upadhyay himself denied any heartburn in the party over the “minor” issue.
He continues to be a member of the South Corporation and there is no indication yet from his party seniors if he has to leave the civic agency after his elevation in the party.
Upadhyay, 52, said issues like this are administrative matters which would be decided by his party’s central leaders.
“I as an individual am nothing. My identity is my organisation – the BJP,” he said, adding that he will abide by decisions of the party seniors.
“All I can say is that I am a part of the civic agency and for me performing as a councillor is also important as leading the party in Delhi,” he said.
His elevation in the party hierarchy has opened opportunity for movement for other leaders within the Delhi BJP – whose panels Upadhyay is planning to revamp – as well as in the civic agency.
A party councillor said, “Large number of councillors are trying to manage to fit into Upadhyay’s new organisational team.”
Councillors close to Upadhyay have also started dreaming big.
“We can also try and get tickets to contest Assembly elections. A councillor as the party chief would understand our aspirations better.”
Upadhyay’s room in the Civic Centre on Friday was crowded, as councillors competed with each other to congratulate the newly appointed chief of party’s city unit.
An official said Upadhyay visited his office in the Civic Centre after a gap of almost three days, his first visit after announcement of his name as Delhi unit chief.