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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi is grappling with significant internal dissent stemming from its candidate selection process for the upcoming Assembly elections. The unrest, characterized by protests and open rebellion, has exposed deep fractures within the party's ranks, undermining its carefully cultivated image of discipline and unity. The controversy began after the release of two candidate lists, which sparked widespread discontent among party members who felt overlooked or unfairly treated. The intensity of the backlash forced the BJP to issue an unprecedented third list, a clear indication of the crisis facing the party leadership.
One of the most prominent flashpoints of dissent was the Tughlakabad constituency. The decision to field Rohtas Bidhuri, instead of Vikram Bidhuri (a relative of the long-serving MLA Ramesh Bidhuri), ignited a fierce protest by Vikram Bidhuri’s supporters. These protestors, demonstrating at the Delhi BJP office, voiced their anger and openly challenged the party’s choice, even resorting to slogans that directly criticized the selected candidate, creating an embarrassing spectacle for the party leadership. The BJP attempted damage control, assuring the protestors that Rohtas Bidhuri would work to unify the faction after a potential win, but this failed to appease the discontent. The incident highlighted the deep-seated loyalty and influence of established political families within the party structure, creating internal rifts that severely compromise campaign effectiveness.
The situation worsened with the nomination of Kapil Mishra in Karawal Nagar, replacing the five-term MLA Mohan Singh Bisht. This decision proved particularly controversial. Bisht, a prominent Rajput figure from Uttarakhand, responded with a fierce public rebuke, criticizing the party's decision-making process and labeling Mishra with derogatory terms. He openly threatened the party's prospects in several constituencies, escalating the conflict to a critical level. In a direct challenge to the party leadership, Bisht openly defied the selection, forcing the BJP's hand. In an apparent attempt at damage control, and to prevent a complete collapse of their campaign, the BJP was forced to issue a third list naming Bisht as the candidate for Mustafabad. This unprecedented act reflects poorly on the party's internal cohesion and strategic planning for the elections.
Similar protests occurred in other constituencies like Mehrauli, Kondli, and Madipur, revealing a widespread pattern of discontent. The protests in Kondli and Madipur, specifically, seemed to stem from the dissatisfaction of Dalit aspirants who felt deliberately excluded from consideration. The BJP's choice of women candidates for these reserved seats, although potentially commendable for inclusivity efforts, failed to appease the aggrieved Dalit factions. This underscores the party's ongoing struggles to balance its commitment to social representation with internal party dynamics and factional interests. The party's inability to fully resolve these protests suggests a deeper organizational challenge, undermining confidence among its base and potentially jeopardizing its chances in the upcoming elections.
The internal conflict within the Delhi BJP highlights a crucial challenge for the party. The public display of dissent, including vocal protests and open defiance from established members, damages the party's image of unity and discipline. While the BJP's ability to recover from such challenges is significant, the extent of the internal fractures and the resulting public fallout raise questions about its preparedness for the upcoming elections. The handling of the dissent, including the release of a third candidate list, highlights the party's strategic vulnerabilities and the internal conflicts that could undermine its election strategy. The public nature of these conflicts also provides ammunition to the opposition parties, who are likely to exploit this division to their advantage. The unfolding situation serves as a critical test of the BJP’s organizational resilience and ability to effectively manage internal dissent and maintain its competitive edge during a crucial electoral contest.
Source: From Tughlakabad To Kondli, Dissent Plagues Delhi BJP Over Candidate Selection For Polls