BJP factions now warring over senior deputy mayor’s post

GURUGRAM: The stand-off between factions of BJP on who would become the MCG mayor is yet to be resolved, but a power struggle has already started on who would become the senior deputy mayor.

With 12 Yadav candidates winning for BJP, the factions led by Rao Inderjit and Rao Narbir, both of whom are Yadavs, are pushing their candidates for the post.

The party leadership continues to maintain silence on who would become the new mayor. In Monday's party executive meeting in Sonipat, the topic was avoided, after which, according to sources, the warring factions decided to lay low as any move could boomerang.

"Nobody in the party is talking about what will happen in Gurgaon. Officially, there's time till November 2, by when the names of the mayor and his deputies have to be announced.

"The party will take more time to build a consensus. Leaders of both factions, too, have decided not to push the issue any further, as any hasty move could rebound," said a senior party functionary.

Rao Inderjit wants Madhu Azad as mayor, while Rao Narbir is supporting Sheetal Bagri, as the post is reserved for a woman candidate from the SC category for this term. Sources also said chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar is backing his cabinet minister Rao Narbir.

"Both leaders have made it clear to the party leadership that a Yadav candidate should become the senior deputy mayor.

"However, choosing someone will be difficult as there are 12 Yadavs, divided into the two camps. While it's almost certain a Yadav will become the next senior deputy mayor, it's yet to be seen who it will be. If the mayor seat goes to Inderjit's camp, it's a no-brainer that the senior deputy mayor will be Narbir's candidate, in order to appease him," the source said.

That would leave the post of deputy mayor for a non-Yadav, he added.