Rift in BJP leadership out in open during party meet

New Delhi: Once again differences in the city BJP leadership came out in the open with the Lok Sabha member from South Delhi, Ramesh Bidhuri, and Delhi BJP general secretary Rajesh Bhatia indulging in a heated argument during a party meeting on Monday.

It all began when Mr Bhatia questioned the programmes organised by Union minister and former Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel in the national capital.

Sources present in the meeting told this newspaper that referring to a photo exhibition and cultural programme — 4 Saal Modi Sarkar — organised by Mr Goel, Mr Bhatia reportedly said that the Union minister is affecting party functioning by organising parallel events.

“Questioning the programme organised by Mr Goel, Mr Bhatia said in the meeting that the former is ignoring the state unit by sidelining it. He had also done something similar when Satish Upadhyay was the party president,” they added.

The event, on which que-stions were raised, was inaugurated by BJP president Amit Shah. Accordi-ng to sources, Mr Bidhuri told everyone in the meeting that Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari had complete knowledge of the pr-ogramme and that he had asked everyone to join it to make it a grand success.

“Despite the state president’s instructions, no se-nior party functionaries attended the event inaugurated by Mr Shah. It shows how seriously the state office-bearers take the words of its president,” Mr Bidhuri reportedly said.

Sources aware about the development said Mr Bhatia was angry with Mr Goel’s recent visit to Rajendra Nagar against the ongoing sealing and demolition drive.

“We learnt from several traders and residents that Mr Bhatia owns a hotel in the locality, which also violates the norms. Howe-ver, the civic body did not act against his hotel. Based on the residents’ complaints, Mr Goel told the people that there shouldn’t be any pick and choose policy... Mr Goel’s comment in front of the residents angered Mr Bhatia. It is the reason he raised his voice against the Union minister in the meeting,” they added.

According to a party insider, the discussion heated up and strong words were exchanged. A senior party functionary said that during a heated argument, Mr Bidhuri also questioned Mr Bhatia’s knowledge about the city. The latter failed to answer the questions regarding the city that were put before him.