New Delhi:
Just when the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was considering a second term as party president for Nitin Gadkari, a series of troubles within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seem to be threatening his prospects. Even as Karnataka strongman BS Yeddyurappa stages a revolt for a re-appointment as chief minister, there are reports of a fresh dissent in New Delhi over the nominations for Rajya Sabha.
Senior leaders, including L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi, have reportedly lodged strong protests over the choice of candidates - some of them with dubious credentials - fielded for the seats to the Upper House. Sources have told NDTV that reservations were made known to party president Nitin Gadkari at the parliamentary board meeting - one of the party's highest decision-making bodies - on March 16.
However, on record, party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar has denied the talk of any dissent, saying "there is no question of anyone being unhappy within the party."
But NDTV has learnt that while Mr Advani and other leaders are said to have registered strong protests, Yashwant Sinha, a former Finance Minister, also had some strong words for the recent nominations. He reportedly said that it would be difficult for him to execute his duties in Parliament if tainted candidates from outside the party were supported by the BJP to contest Rajya Sabha seats. Mr Sinha is particularly upset with the BJP's support to Anshuman Mishra, an independent candidate from Jharkhand.
Sources say that these choices, especially that of Mr Mishra, were backed by Mr Gadkari. There is more resentment over the denial of a ticket to veteran leader, and BJP's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, S S Ahluwalia.
While some top leaders want the controversial nominations to be withdrawn - others argue that a withdrawal will mean the party losing seats.
The fresh headache for the BJP comes even as it is battling a rebellion in Karnataka. 67 of the party's 120 MLAs are demanding the reinstatement of B S Yeddyurappa as chief minister of the state. In a show of loyalty, the MLAs are currently camping in a five-star resort outside Bangalore. Their message seems to be clear: put Yeddyurappa in the chief minister's chair or risk a split in the state unit. 10 party MPs from the state have already threatened to resign in support of Mr Yeddyurappa.
(Read: Don't malign the party, BJP to Yeddyurappa)The BJP'S problems in Karnataka are compounded by the fact that the five strong Lingayat 'muths' which hold immense clout over the powerful Lingayat community, that backed BJP to come to power for the first time in a southern state, too want a change, claiming that the present chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda is alienating them. This is why Mr Gadkari, who had ruled out a change in leadership in Karnataka since July 2011 when Mr Yedyurappa faced charges in a Lokayukta report forcing him to step down, is now saying that a change is under consideration and Mr Yeddyurappa should be patient.