JOIN USThe simmering factional feud in Rajasthan BJP boiled over as Opposition leader Vasundhara Raje threatened to resign over differences with party leader Gulab Chand Kataria.
The crisis, rooted in Kataria’s move to take out a rally against Raje’s wishes, appeared to blow over on Sunday after Kataria backed off, but the damage to the unity of the party may take much healing.
As the stand-off between Raje and Kataria peaked, a loyalist of Raje claimed that close to 50 MLAs had sent their resignation letters to Raje to express their solidarity with her.
The BJP has 78 MLAs in the 200-member Assembly, of whom many want Raje to be declared the undisputed chief ministerial candidate for the Assembly elections next year. The dissent exploded with Kataria’s decision to take out “Lok Jagaran Yatra” triggering Raje’s threat to resign.
About 47 MLAs and party office-bearers followed suit by sending their resignation letters to Raje.