Senior Rashtraiya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist M.G. Vaidya’s remarks in his blog that the needle of suspicion in the campaign against BJP President Nitin Gadkari points to the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has kicked up a storm in the BJP.
Fearing setback in the Gujarat election campaign, the BJP dismissed the “insinuations” of Vaidya and claimed that the party was united behind Modi. “The BJP completely rejects such insinuations, as it is totally unfounded,” Gadkari said in a statement.
He said all central leaders of the BJP and its Chief Ministers have been “working cohesively”. “We are fighting the Gujarat Assembly elections with complete unity of purpose and total mutual confidence,” he said and added that the BJP stands firmly behind Modi.
Gadkari has not been enjoying a good rapport with the Gujarat Chief Minister. The differences within the RSS on Modi have also come out with Vaidya’s statement. Vaidya also said that Modi has never denied reports of his ambition to become Prime Minister. The RSS too has said that Vaidya’s views are personal.
After the party’s MP in Rajya Sabha Ram Jethmalani demanded Gadkari’s resignation publicly, several views emerged within the BJP.
Even senior leader L.K. Advani was reportedly unhappy with Gadkari’s continuation in the post. However, after a meeting of the core committee, the BJP was trying to put an end to all speculation.
Vaidya’s remarks have troubled the BJP leadership’s efforts to broker peace among a section of leaders and the RSS.
The Congress said Modi has become a problem for the BJP.
“The controversy is between the BJP and the RSS. But Modi apparently has become a problem for the BJP,” the Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dixit said.