BJP 'loyalists' hope Amit Shah's visit will end factional feud

The “loyalists’’ among the state BJP are pinning their hopes on the three-day visit of the party national president Amit Shah to Bengaluru from August 12 to put an end to the factional feud in the state unit and boost the morale of the workers to take on the ruling Congress in the run-up to the Assembly elections.

Though the BJP central leadership has, of late, managed to rein in the two major factions – one led by state president B S Yeddyurappa and the other by K S Eshwarappa– squabbling over organisational issues between the two is far from over. A section of leaders from the Eshwarappa camp, which is upset with Yeddyurappa’s “arbitrary” style of functioning, is said to be planning to raise the issue when they meet Shah in Bengaluru.

The ‘loyal’ party leaders fear that the factional feud may impact the party’s electoral prospects if differences are not ironed out soon. Even Vistaaraks have reported that factional feud has to end and “the frontline leaders have to behave themselves” in the run-up to the elections. A large section of people, with whom Vistaaraks interacted recently, has expressed its anguish over the recent developments in the state unit of the BJP. It is high time the party deals with infighting sternly, the leaders added, hoping that Shah will send out a strong message in this regard.

About 30,000 Vistaaraks interacted with the party workers and citizens at booth level in the state for 15 days recently and elicited their views on the party affairs. District-wise reports of the information gathered by Vistaaraks will be presented to Shah during his visit. Besides, he is also scheduled to directly interact with Vistaaraks, BJP sources said.

The sources said the party has already decided to clip the wings of the state leaders as part of the measures initiated to end infighting. The state leaders have been recently informed that they will not have much say in the ticket distribution for contesting the elections. The central leadership will finalise the candidates based on internal surveys and feedback from Vistaaraks. The BJP had recently sent an eight-member team from Delhi to the state to assess the mood among the workers.

Besides, it has been conveyed to leaders of both the factions that loyalty to the party, winnability and one’s background will be the basis for candidate selection and not loyalty to any individual leader.

Changes in party
This apart, the sources said, Shah is likely to unveil a strategy to prepare the party for the polls. Specific responsibilities will be assigned to leaders in this regard. The BJP is likely to effect certain changes in the party organisation, keeping the elections in mind, the sources added.