Amidst multiple options of ST, OBC and General candidates for the post of new BJP State President in Chhattisgarh, it remains to be seen upon whom the BJP National leadership will zero in for the coveted post. Although BJP may play safe by banking on a Tribal or an OBC candidate, but given the party’s ideology, a General candidate might emerge as ultimate choice after a long gap of 17 years.

 

With the announcement of State Presidents for Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Sikkim by BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday, appointment of State President of Bharatiya Janata Party in Chhattisgarh is also very much on the card. Since the party has announced a general candidate as State President in Madhya Pradesh, speculations are rife that the party central leadership might follow suit in Chhattisgarh as well despite many strong alternatives from ST, SC and OBC leaders.

 

It is being expected that within one or two days the name will be announced for Chhattisgarh as well. The BJP central leadership is carrying out organisational elections in States where it is pending whereas, announcement of State Presidents are being made where organisational elections have been completed. Talking to media persons, BJP National Vice President Dr Raman Singh said in one or two days announcement will be made. He said caste is not significant, focus will be on a candidate who can aggressively work for the party organisation. He said party central leadership will be making the final announcement. The state leadership has already submitted the party observers’ report to the central leadership.

 

Dr Singh said focus will be on a candidate who can work aggressively for the party and here caste of the candidate is not significant, what is important is the candidate’ ability and work execution. On his probability as the next State President, he said it is for the central leadership to decide and before announcement everyday new names will crop up. In the meanwhile, the BJP is looking for a young and aggressive leader who has good relations with state leadership, party workers and office-bearers as well as good coordination with the national leadership. BJP leader and Rajnandgaon MP Santosh Pandey is one among the front runners who fulfils the criteria. It may be recalled that when the state came into existence, there was Congress government and at that time Dr Raman Singh had taken over the reins of the state and revived the party so much so that when it came to power in 2003 it continued to remain in power for 15 long years.

 

However, if the party insiders are to be believed, Dr Singh being the CM of the state for a long time, has developed ‘bête noire’ among the party rank and file and if he is made the State President, it might harm the party more as of now rather than rebuilding it for next Assembly elections. On the contrary, Santosh Pandey has acceptance in the party rank and file and has also good coordination with central leadership. Hence if the party zeroes on general candidate, Santosh Pandey will br the choice as he is also an aggressive leader and has good organizational skills. In the meanwhile, if the BJP central leadership focuses on ST, SC and OBC candidates, there are many in the line which include former Union Minister Vishnudeo Sai, BJP ST Cell National President Ramvichar Netam, senior MLA Nankiram Kanwar and incumbent President Vikram Usendi to name a few. However, after Dr Raman Singh, in last 17 years, the post was held by tribal leaders only barring six years stint of Dharamlal Kaushik, an OBC. Presently OBC candidates who are in contention are Durg MP Vijay Baghel and Bilaspur MP Arun Sao. Now it remains to be seen who will be donned the crown of BJP State President of Chhattisgarh unit which is reeling under severe factionalism.