In a first, BJP named Delhi chief after interviews

By Navneet Mishra

New Delhi, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is thinking out of the box when it comes to politics. The party has begun the exercise of giving big responsibilities to its leaders through the process of interviews. It started with the appointment of Adesh Kumar Gupta as the Delhi unit president. Reliable sources in the party told IANS that in March, 15 leaders of Delhi had visited the party's national headquarter here for interviews. After the feedback from interviews, the BJP finally put the seal of approval on the name of Gupta.

The BJP has devised this formula to choose the state president for the first time as part of a well thought out strategy. In fact, this exercise was carried out to instil confidence among grassroots leaders and activists associated with the party that it does not crown anyone with veto power but gives an equal chance to all to move ahead in the party hierarchy. With this intention, BJP"s national president J.P. Nadda gave the responsibility of conducting the interviews to general secretary P. Muralidhar Rao.

Interviews were held for the Delhi party president from March 1 to 15 in the office of Rao at the BJP's national headquarters. Some interviews took place before Holi while some were held post Holi. All seven Lok Sabha MPs from Delhi were called first. After this, the MLAs were given a chance. Then state level vice-president, general secretary, secretary and spokesperson were called for interviews, scheduled for each level of the party post.

A senior BJP leader who was involved in the whole exercise told IANS that P. Muralidhar Rao had given 15 minutes to each office bearer. First he asked about their opinion on the three-year term of Manoj Tiwari. Then he asked if there is a need for change of leadership in Delhi, if so then why? There was also a question of what qualities should the BJP's Delhi president have to face Arvind Kejriwal. After this, he asked who of the leaders of Delhi have the ability to become state president on the basis of these qualities. Rao during the whole exercise tried to gauge the mood of the leaders who gave the interview whether they want to become the state president. If someone expressed a wish, then he would ask him, what will you do if you become the state president?

Party sources said that with this formula, Rao compiled a list of the names of the leaders suggested by everyone by delving into their hearts and minds. Sources say that most of the leaders of Delhi who came for the interview were of the opinion that some MPs, MLAs and senior leaders in the state unit are involved in factionalism. They suggested that a new face, who is not associated with any faction should be given the chance to lead the party in the national capital.

Party sources said that the top leadership surprised everyone by brainstorming on the name of Adesh Gupta, former mayor of north Delhi, as Delhi Pradesh President. When IANS spoke to another leader of the BJP's Delhi unit, he said that the interview was an attempt to get the opinion of party leaders about the new Delhi state president. However, this leader also said that it cannot be said with one hundred per cent confidence that the name of Gupta emerged from the same interview process.

Source: IANS