The Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) has decided not to cooperate with the BJP in the Chengannur Assembly bypoll.
Speaking to reporters after the party State council meeting here on Wednesday, BDJS president Thushar Vellappally said that a meeting of all NDA allies, except the BJP, would be convened in the next two weeks to discuss the future course of action.
“We will not back the BJP candidate in Chengannur until our demands are met. Without the support of the BDJS, the BJP is not going to win the election in Chengannur. We have a strong base in Chengannur and it was evident from the number of votes gained by the BJP candidate in the 2016 poll,” the BDJS president said.
“The NDA allies in the State are disenchanted with the BJP. There is no NDA at the district, taluk and local body level in the State,” Mr. Thushar said.
On the possibility of the BDJS severing ties with the NDA and joining other political front in the State, Mr. Thushar said the BDJS was still a constituent of the NDA. “If we are ready, the UDF will welcome us. If the LDF can join hands with Abdul Nazir Maudany, I don’t think they are going to have any problem accommodating the BDJS as an ally. However, the BDJS is still with the NDA,’’ he said.
The BDJS demanded positions on various boards and Corporations. However, the BJP central leadership was yet to respond to it. Although it was expected that the BJP would nominate Mr. Thushar to the Rajya Sabha, it decided to field BJP national council member V. Muraleedharan from Maharashtra.
Mr. Thushar said the BDJS had never demanded a Rajya Sabha seat. “A section of the State BJP had spread rumours that I would be given a Rajya Sabha ticket. By dragging my name they have insulted the BDJS. We will make an official complaint to the BJP central leadership,” the BDJS president said.
BJP State president Kummanam Rajasekharan on the other said the BDJS would not leave the NDA and issues with them would be resolved through discussion.
