Confusion erupts in Delhi BJP over enrolment of members

New Delhi: A major confusion has erupted in the Delhi BJP over the enrolment of new members during the party’s ongoing membership drive in the national capital. No one in the Delhi BJP really knows about the exact number of new members enrolled in the party.

The BJP membership drive was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi on the birth anniversary of party ideologue Shyama Prasad Mookerjee on June 6.

In Delhi, the campaign was launched with fanfare at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium by senior party leader and in-charge (national) of the campaign Shivraj Singh Chauhan on June 7.

The month-long campaign in Delhi concluded on August 11 but on the directions of the central leadership it was extended till August 20.

When asked about the exact number of new members enlisted, the in-charge of Delhi BJP membership drive and party state general secretary, Kuljeet Chahal, told this newspaper that he needed time to check the exact figure.

Hours later, however, Mr Chahal failed to respond to the several calls made by this correspondent.

The co-incharge of Delhi BJP membership drive, Harsh Malhotra, told this newspaper that till Monday 13.5 lakh members were enlisted during the ongoing membership drive, which is above the target of 10 lakh set at the start of the membership drive.

Contradicting Mr Malhotra’s claims, a senior and powerful Delhi BJP leader, who is keeping a close eye on the ongoing membership drive and aware of the day to day activities, said that till Monday about 15 lakh new members had joined the party and by August 20 the numbers will cross the 20 lakh mark.

Attempts to contact Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari turned futile.

A senior party functionary said that the prevailing confusion over the number of new members shows that all is not well in the ongoing membership drive.