HP BJP dist. unit head appointments spark ‘Parachute choices made’ debate
Shimla, July 20
In a move, BJP State President Rajiv Bindal has managed to elect district unit heads after three months in office. However, the selection process has drawn criticism from party insiders, who claim that Bindal’s choices were predominantly parachute candidates with little grassroots support. This has raised concerns about the party’s direction and its ability to connect with the masses.
Also read:Whispers in the HP BJP about Bindal’s struggle
Traditionally, the BJP had a practice of holding organizational elections, but that seems to have been discontinued since the Modi government took office. Instead, appointments have been made through the parachute method, where leaders are appointed from above without proper consultation with local party members.
Critics argue that relying on parachute leaders, much like the Congress party, could have negative consequences for the BJP’s future. Despite these challenges, Bindal managed to replace some district presidents. However, the choices seem to have caused tensions within the party, as some factions have been sidelined in favor of others.
For instance, certain districts dominated by influential figures like Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur have managed to have their preferred candidates appointed. This has left other factions, like those associated with former Chief Minister Dhumal and BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda, feeling excluded.
The selected district presidents are Nihal Chand – Mandi, Hiralal – Sundernagar, Arvind Chandel – Kullu, Ratan Pal Singh – Solan (By-election candidate from Arki Assembly Constituency), Desh Raj – Hamirpur, Balbir Chowdhary – Una, Haridat Sharma – Palampur (Kangra district), Ramesh Rana – Nurpur (Kangra district), Sanjeev Sharma – Dehra (Kangra district), Sachin Sharma – Kangra (Kangra district), Sankhyan – Bilaspur, Vinay Gupta – Sirmaur, Prem Thakur – Shimla, Arun Falta – Mahasu, Yashwant Negi – Kinnaur, Rajendra Bodh – Lahul Spiti and Dheeraj Narayal – Chamba.
Critics believe that many of the appointed district heads lack a mass base and do not appear to align with Bindal’s vision for the party.
On the other hand, some old district presidents who were not appointed to the top positions have been given consolation roles within the party’s executive body. This move has been perceived as a reward for their past service, even though it might not address the party’s need for strong leadership.
Despite Bindal’s experience and leadership abilities, the recent choices have caused concerns within the BJP. Critics expected more from him, but the current state of the party suggests that there might be internal disagreements or limitations in decision-making.
In conclusion, the appointment of district heads by BJP State President Rajiv Bindal may face challenges and criticism due to the perceived reliance on parachute choices with little mass support. The party’s organizational structure seems to be in flux, and internal factions have raised concerns about the direction the BJP is taking. It remains to be seen how these decisions will impact the party’s performance in future elections.
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