POLITICS
Bid to humour Raje & win over Rajputs? ‘Message’ behind BJP’s induction of Rajasthan ex-CM’s aide Bhati
- Admin
- Sep 30, 2023
Bid to humour Raje & win over Rajputs? ‘Message’ behind BJP’s induction of Rajasthan ex-CM’s aide Bhati
Devi Singh Bhati inducted after Amit Shah, Nadda held core group meeting & separate talks with Raje. This comes at a time when Raje loyalists are upset she's not being projected as CM pick.
The BJP high command, known to be reluctant to project former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje as its CM face for the upcoming state polls, has sought to mollify the party veteran by inducting her loyalist Devi Singh Bhati.
Bhati, 77, an influential Rajput leader as well as a seven-time MLA from Kolayat seat, joined the BJP Thursday along with several other inductees, returning to the party fold after four years.
Bhati’s induction came a day after Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda held a Rajasthan core group meeting in Jaipur and separate talks with Raje.
This was preceded by talks between Raje and Jodhpur MP Gajendra Shekhawat last weekend and a rally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday, in which he said, “I want to tell every BJP worker that our identity and pride is only the lotus.”
The BJP’s Rajasthan unit is ridden with factionalism, with leaders loyal to Raje upset with the central leadership for not projecting her as the CM candidate. Raje herself is also said to be disgruntled over her apparent marginalisation in the party over the last few years.
The BJP has maintained that it will fight the Rajasthan election under “collective leadership” — a point that was reiterated by Shekhawat to the media after Wednesday’s core group meeting.
However, a functionary in the Rajasthan BJP that facing a resurgent Congress under Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and worried about losing its Rajput voter-base that is upset over the perceived sidelining of Raje, the party opened the door to her loyalist.
“The induction is meant to send two messages before the polls — one that the party is accommodating Raje and another for the Rajput community,” said the functionary.
A second senior functionary said that “not only was Raje pushing Bhati’s case but Rajnath Singh also played a role in his induction, despite the unwillingness of Meghwal”.
“Bhati is a big community leader, and served as minister during Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s and Raje’s government. His induction will win over Rajput voters,” the functionary added.
According to a senior Rajasthan BJP leader, Amit Shah assured Raje that her interests will be protected. “It means her supporters will be considered during ticket distribution. Bhati is one example,” said the leader, adding that if the BJP won the assembly polls, the state leadership will be decided after that.
“This strategy will keep every person guessing about their chances and it is the only way to fight the election with a faction-ridden unit,” the leader explained. “How Raje responds is also an issue because she knows that if the Friday, Bhati said: “After five years, my homecoming is happening.”
“I am sure the BJP will form the next government. As far as Vasundharaji is concerned, she is a big leader who commands respect across Rajasthan. Although the party has decided to go to the polls under collective leadership, the high command has assured that they will give her full respect,” he added.
On his long-standing conflict with Meghwal, he said: “Yesterday (Thursday), we met in the presence of (Rajasthan in-charge) Arun Singh and we will work together to bring the BJP back to power.”
Bhati’s induction came a day after Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda held a Rajasthan core group meeting in Jaipur and separate talks with Raje.
This was preceded by talks between Raje and Jodhpur MP Gajendra Shekhawat last weekend and a rally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday, in which he said, “I want to tell every BJP worker that our identity and pride is only the lotus.”
The BJP’s Rajasthan unit is ridden with factionalism, with leaders loyal to Raje upset with the central leadership for not projecting her as the CM candidate. Raje herself is also said to be disgruntled over her apparent marginalisation in the party over the last few years.
The BJP has maintained that it will fight the Rajasthan election under “collective leadership” — a point that was reiterated by Shekhawat to the media after Wednesday’s core group meeting.
However, a functionary in the Rajasthan BJP that facing a resurgent Congress under Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and worried about losing its Rajput voter-base that is upset over the perceived sidelining of Raje, the party opened the door to her loyalist.
“The induction is meant to send two messages before the polls — one that the party is accommodating Raje and another for the Rajput community,” said the functionary.
A second senior functionary said that “not only was Raje pushing Bhati’s case but Rajnath Singh also played a role in his induction, despite the unwillingness of Meghwal”.
“Bhati is a big community leader, and served as minister during Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s and Raje’s government. His induction will win over Rajput voters,” the functionary added.
According to a senior Rajasthan BJP leader, Amit Shah assured Raje that her interests will be protected. “It means her supporters will be considered during ticket distribution. Bhati is one example,” said the leader, adding that if the BJP won the assembly polls, the state leadership will be decided after that.
“This strategy will keep every person guessing about their chances and it is the only way to fight the election with a faction-ridden unit,” the leader explained. “How Raje responds is also an issue because she knows that if the Friday, Bhati said: “After five years, my homecoming is happening.”
“I am sure the BJP will form the next government. As far as Vasundharaji is concerned, she is a big leader who commands respect across Rajasthan. Although the party has decided to go to the polls under collective leadership, the high command has assured that they will give her full respect,” he added.
On his long-standing conflict with Meghwal, he said: “Yesterday (Thursday), we met in the presence of (Rajasthan in-charge) Arun Singh and we will work together to bring the BJP back to power.”
