Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting in Induru, followed by BJP chief JP Nadda’s interaction with party leaders during the State Council Meetings in Hyderabad on Friday, reportedly resolved the differences between old and new leaders in the party.
There have been disagreements between long-time party members and those who recently joined. These differences became apparent after the Munugodu Assembly by-poll and the change in State BJP chief. Despite the party’s Central leadership urging unity for success in Telangana, the differences persisted.
A senior party leader explained that the old guard felt the party was becoming like Congress and were unhappy with the newly joined leaders’ performance. On the other hand, the new leaders believed that the sudden change in State BJP chief had caused a decline in party morale. Some leaders also expressed disappointment over the lack of action against BRS MLC K Kavitha, despite her involvement in the Delhi Liquor Gate scandal. This created the perception that the BJP had made a deal with the ruling BRS party in the state.
The Central leadership clarified that the functioning of the BJP as a political party was separate from that of the government. They instructed state party leaders not to make inflammatory statements regarding the arrest of the BRS MLA. However, the new leaders persisted in questioning why no action was being taken against Kavitha, as it sent a negative message and allowed the BRS and Congress to attack the BJP.
Another senior party leader stated that they joined the BJP to oppose BRS chief and CM KCR, but rumors of a secret understanding between BJP and BRS had undermined their purpose for joining the saffron brigade. This concern was also expressed to national party leaders.
