Why BJP is working to defeat its own Rajya Sabha candidate in Jharkhand

New Delhi: Amidst growing criticism within the BJP over his nomination, Anshuman Mishra, a businessman and the party's candidate for the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand, may withdraw from the electoral race today, sources have told NDTV. It is a clumsy attempt at course-correction after most senior party leaders like Yashwant Sinha and LK Advani said Mr Mishra was an unacceptable choice and demanded the withdrawal of his nomination, thus creating the sequel to the Kushwaha fiasco. Before the UP elections, the party president had welcomed former UP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha as a member after he was sacked by his party chief Mayawati for corruption. Mr Kushwaha "voluntarily" put his membership on hold after sharp criticism from most senior BJP leaders.

Mr Mishra's background and integrity have been questioned by senior leaders, who have targeted party president Nitin Gadkari for his selection. Just in case Mr Mishra does not oblige, the party has asked its elected representatives in Jharkhand not to vote for him.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Advani asked for an emergency meeting of BJP leaders to discuss Mr Mishra. He also reportedly said that the BJP should issue a whip to MLAs in Jharkhand ordering them to vote against Mr Mishra, who is an Independent MLA being supported by the BJP.

Advertisement

Mr Sinha told NDTV that his party's support to Mr Mishra would only add to Jharkhand's image as "happy hunting ground for the rich" implying that BJP MLAs could be tempted to sell their vote to the rich businessman. In strong words Mr Sinha said, "Our MLAs should not be auctioned...there are ways for our MLAs to avoid voting for him."

Mr Sinha also reportedly warned his party that the selection of unsuitable nominees makes it tough for him to serve on different parliamentary committees; choosing representatives who have questionable records, he said, will impact the BJP's image and anti-corruption plank. At a meeting of the party leadership, another member Shanta Kumar warned, "Jab satta bikne lagti hai to samapt ho jaati hai" - a warning that translates as "When power is on sale, the end is near."

Advertisement

In Maharashtra, Ajay Sancheti, a businessman and a member of the BJP national executive, has been nominated as the party's Rajya Sabha candidate. He allegedly has links to the Adarsh scam - politicians and bureaucrats helped themselves to flats in a building meant for war widows and Army veterans.

Mr Sinha says he had not even heard of Anshuman Mishra, who, however, claimed on Tuesday that, "I have good relations with all big BJP leaders." Mr Mishra said he was contesting elections with the support of senior leaders and if the party leadership opposed to supporting him, "I will withdraw my candidature."

Advertisement

There is more resentment within the BJP over the denial of a ticket to veteran leader, and BJP's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, S S Ahluwalia.

As the crisis escalated, Mr Gadkari met with the party's parent-body, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), in Nagpur on Tuesday.

Advertisement

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."

Mr Gadkari has provoked serious dissent within the party in recent months. Before the UP elections, he allowed Mr Kushwaha into the party fold. Mr Gadkari's colleagues like Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharti and Maneka Gandhi said this would hurt the party's credibility. Mr Kushwaha was persuaded by the BJP to then announce that he had voluntarily decided to put his membership of the BJP on hold till he was cleared of corruption charges. He is now in jail.

Advertisement

Mr Gadkari is also finding it tough to manage a revolt in Karnataka, where the BJP is in power. Former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa wants to return to office immediately. He has the support of more than half the party's representatives in the Karnataka Assembly and therefore has the strength to split the party and bring down the government, if the crisis should deepen.