JOIN USAs the BJP prepares to launch its campaign for the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh polls, the party is left to deal with the simmering discontent over some of its state leaders.
Yogi Aditya Nath, Sakshi Maharaj and Varun Gandhi have been sulking over their sidelining in the party, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi deciding to contest the polls by pitching demonetisation as a pro-poor move.
Feeling marginalised for not getting a chance to speak at the party conclave, Aditya Nath, the saffron clad MP from Gorakhpur, left the venue before Modi’s concluding speech. His exclusion is another sign that he will not be considered for the state’s election committee panel.
A year ago, Nath, who has considerable influence in Gorakhpur and adjoining districts, was in demand after an internal survey projected him as a possible chief ministerial candidate along with Varun Gandhi who was isolated after quoting controversy.
Nath was also in contention to join the Union Cabinet last year, but the party chose Mahendra Pandey and Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel as ministers instead. Both those leaders are from eastern part of the state.
SP feud spills on to streets
The ongoing feud within the Samajwadi Party (SP) has spilled on to the streets, with supporters of the rival camps humiliating each other by not allowing them to enter party offices, and even exchanging blows, DHNS reports.
Senior SP leader and state spokesman Deepak Mishra, who has lent support to party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, was on Monday denied entry into the party headquarters here by security guards.