Another BJP veteran bowed out of active politics on Friday and that, too, in an emotional manner. In an open letter released to the media, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan announced that she would not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election and “therefore the party (BJP) may decide (upon candidate for Indore constituency) with an open heart”.
Interestingly, the Madhya Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party denied having any knowledge of such a step taken by Mahajan.
The BJP has not declared candidates for some key constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, including Indore, even a month after declaration of the general elections. It has announced candidates for 18 out of 29 seats. The state goes to polls in four phases starting April 29.
The grapevine has it that the party did not want Mahajan to contest the polls from election but was hesitant to deny her the ticket directly. In fact, party chief Amit Shah, in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, had said that those above 75 years won't be given tickets. Mahajan, it is believed, took the decision following this.
The party is likely to field Indore mayor Malini Gaur instead on the seat, considered a BJP bastion.
The decision by Mahajan, nine times Member of Parliament from Indore constituency in Madhya Pradesh, conveyed to the media directly and in an emotional tone, has added to the narrative of the Congress that the BJP is out to insult the seniors of its own party.
ALSO READ
- Narottam Mishra calls MP Congress chief 'liar'; accuses party of ignoring tribal issues
- Madhya Pradesh: After PM Modi's roadshow, Rahul to kickstart Congress campaign today
- Mahakal temple fire: District administration bans outside colours for Rangpanchami celebrations
- Mahakal temple fire: ‘Very painful’, says PM Modi; CM announces solatium of Rs 1 lakh
- Holi celebrations: 14 suffer injuries in fire at Ujjain Mahakal temple
READ: L.K. Advani―End of Lok Sabha career for original Hindutva poster boy
The tone of Mahajan’s letter, which has gone viral on social media, is clearly emotional. She starts out by asking why the BJP was unable to decide upon its Indore candidate even after so many days of announcement of polls.
“Why is there such indecision (in deciding the ticket)? Perhaps the party is feeling some hesitation. Although I had talked to the party seniors in this context and left the decision to them, there is still indecision. Therefore, I announce that I will not contest the poll so that the party can take its decision with an open heart,” Mahajan’s letter in Hindi says.
She then goes on to thank the media, party workers and leaders for their support and love during her long career and expresses hope that the party would take its decision regarding Indore seat soon.
Congress, meanwhile, attacked the BJP once again on the issue. Pankaj Chaturvedi, spokesman of MP Congress, said that the insult to senior leaders in the party of ‘Shah aur Tanashah’ (Shah and the dictator) continues.
“Sumitra Tai’s name has been added to the list of L.K. Advani, Kalraj Mishra, Murli Manohar Joshi and the likes. But the 90 crore electorate of the country would certainly punish the BJP for this insult,” he said.
BJP chief spokesman for MP Deepak Vijayvargiya said that the party has no information about any such step taken by Mahajan and thus he cannot comment on the issue.
