JOIN USR'than hunts for new BJP chief
The victorious BJP and the vanquished Congress are looking for suitable replacement to head their respective parties in the state.
Congress state president Dr Chandraban has tendered resignation to the party high command owning responsibility for the party’s defeat.
Not only was the Congress reduced to an all-time low in the Assembly elections with just 21 seats, the party president was relegated to the fourth position in his constituency.
The Congress, which is yet to recover from the severe beating, immediately has to find a replacement as the Lok Sabha elections are around the corner.
Sources said party may go for some young faces and Union minister Sachin Pilot is said to be the front-runner for the job.
The party may opt for some tried and tested person like former president Narayan Singh ML.
However, the group supporting Sachin points out that Scindia task was cut out as he was sent at the last minute and argues for investing in youth with an eye on long term returns without wasting time as Sachin can attract youth to the party.
The situation in the ruling BJP is quite different. The party has to find someone acceptable to both Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and the RSS.
Three names are doing rounds, while there are chances that Raje may be told to hold both the posts till Lok Sabha elections. With the historic win of the party in the state Raje’s stock is at an all-time high and all depends on her choice.
A leader said "the president's post will be decided after the full cabinet was formed. There is no hurry as Madam is capable to handle both the job for some time. Being the ruling party it is to be ensured that there is no conflict between government and party and the mistake which the party wants to avoid this time."
The party organisation led by RSS leaders have turned against Raje and that was the major reason for defeat in 2008, said a leader.
Party general secretary Satish Poonia, who lost Assembly elections from Amber constituency by a very narrow margin and national secretary Bhupendra Yadav, who played pivotal role in Suraaj Sankalp Yatra and the elections are said to be the front-runners for the post.
Yadav, confidante of senior party leader Arun Jaitley, remained close to Raje and played a managerial role during the yatra and polls. .
Another major contender for the post is party vice president Onkar Singh Lakhawat. Former MP Lakhawat is known for his backroom electoral management and is acceptable to both Raje and RSS.