BJP to review bypoll loss

New Delhi: A day after facing the humiliating defeat in Bawana bypoll, Delhi BJP unit has formed a committee, headed by Udit Raj, Lok Sabha MP from North West Delhi constituency, to find out the reasons behind the party's poor performance four months after historic victory in the civic polls. 

Party insiders said Mr Raj has been asked to submit a detailed report covering all the reasons behind the defeat within three days.

A senior party leader said Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari had discussed the party's performance in Bawana with Dr Raj and asked him to submit a detailed enquiry report on the defeat. Bawana Assembly constituency falls under the Lok Sabha constituency of Dr Raj.

The result of Bawana bypoll was declared on Monday, in which the AAP candidate, Ram Chander, bagged 59,886 votes, while the BJP, which had fielded Ved Prakash, finished a distant second with 35,834 votes. 

The constituency, which is located on the city's northern periphery is a mix of slum clusters, villages and has a huge Poorvanchali (migrants from east UP, Bihar) voter base.

According to party sources, Dr Raj has been told to find out the actual reasons behind defeat and others factors, including those involved in anti party activities during the bypolls. 

There are also reports that many leaders and office-bearers sent to Bawana were either missing from ground or made their presence in election office of party candidate. 

Dr Raj will also look into the concerned reasons and submit a detailed report in three days, which will be reviewed by the state  party leadership. The Delhi BJP unit president said that party will review and introspect the defeat, they said. 

The Lok Sabha member will further look into the role of 18 leaders, including Lok Sabha MP from West Delhi constituency Parvesh Verma and leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta, whose names were also mentioned in initial assessment report for acting against the interests of the party. 

“Dr Raj will also look into the role of 18 leaders named in initial report and find out whether allegation against these leaders were true or not,” said a party insider.