By Shashi Bhushan New Delhi, Aug 14 : The BJP central leadership believes that the change of the leadership in the party’s Chhattisgarh unit will bring an end to the rifts and infighting ahead of the next assembly elections.In the last week the BJP has appointed Lok Sabha Member Arun Sao as the new the president of the Chhattisgarh unit.He will succeed Vishnu Deo Sai.
The BJP central leadership believes that Sao’s appointment can help in ending factionalism and infighting within the party, it will also aid in becoming OBC communities, which comprise more than 40% of the state’s population.
The newly installed Chhattisgarh BJP president Sao is not considered to be close or part of any other camp in the state.
The BJP has been the ruler of Chhattisgarh for fifteen years from 2003 until the year 2018.
Chhattisgarh assembly elections are scheduled to be held in November and December 2023.
The defeat in the recent Khairagarh by-polls that were held in April had raised concerns of the BJP for the next assembly elections as the district falls under the district of home of the former chief minister Raman Singh.
Singh who is the current BJP vice-president of the nation was chief minister for fifteen years.BJP political activities in Chhattisgarh was centered around Singh for more than two decades, and he retains the power in the state unit.
A senior official stated that the Khairagarh results of the assembly by-poll had sent a clear signal to the Chhattisgarh division that the BJP house is not in order and needs to be put in order prior to next year’s assembly elections.
“After looking at every option after considering every possibility, the BJP central leadership has made the decision to change the state’s chief executive.
If things don’t improve and the situation continues to deteriorate, more changes are likely to be made in the coming months,” he said.
It is believed that a major reshuffle is expected to occur at an organisational level from the district to the state units in Chhattisgarh BJP under Sao’s direction.
There is a buzz that the leader of opposition in the assembly Dharamlal Kaushik who is related to the former chief minister Singh could also be replaced to make room for another candidate.
“Kaushik was unable to stop the Baghel government in the state assembly.
The party is looking into making a the leader of the opposition, who will increase attacks on the Baghel government in the assembly, while Sao will take on the administration outwardly,” a senior party leader said.
A senior functionary stated that at present OBC communities are supporting the chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and BJP leadership has long been wishing to establish the capacity of community leaders in the party.
A BJP leader said that in Chhattisgarh, OBCs constitute approximately 45 percent of total, followed by 33 percent tribals, and more than 10 per cent of scheduled castes.
A lot of in the party believe that making Droupadi Murmu the first woman of the tribe to be president of the country would aid in getting the vote of the community.
In the same way, Sao’s appointment could aid in making gains in OBC voting.
“By having the support of OBC and tribals and tribals, the BJP will certainly dislodge the Baghel government in next year’s elections for the assembly,” he added.
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