Gadkari should lead BJP: Activist

Mumbai: The letter written by far-mer leader Kishor Tiwa-ri asking Rashtriya Swa-yamsevak Sangh (RSS) to change the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Prime Minister Narendra Mo-di to Union minister Nitin Gadkari has sparked talk.

Mr Tiwari heads ‘Vasa-ntrao Naik Shetkari Swavalamban Mission’, a state government body that seeks to empower farmers. The “unnecessary letter” has shaken up Mr Gadkari’s camp as it feels that it will not help Mr Gadkari and could create problems.

“Leaders who have an extremist and dictatorial attitude in the party and government are da-ngerous for society and the country. This has be-en witnessed before and if history is not to be repeated, hand over the reins to Nitin Gadkari for the 2019 polls,” wrote Mr Tiwari in his letter to RSS supremo Dr Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi.

Mr Tiwari also blamed decisions such as demo-netisation, the Goods an-d Service Tax and un-controlled fuel prices, among other things, for the BJP’s Assembly election debacle in three Hi-ndi heartland states. He supported Mr Gad-kari for the top job and dir-ectly blamed Mr Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for the defeat.

Mr Gadkari’s camp, however, has not welcomed the letter. “What was the need for this letter? Is there any discussion about a leadership change in the BJP? It is confirmed that party will contest the 2019 elections under the leadership of Modiji. This letter will create more problems for Nitinji,” said a Cabinet minister in state government who is known for his closeness to Mr Gadkari.

Questions have also been raised as to Mr Tiwari’s intentions. “He (Mr Tiwari ) is not that close to Nitinji. Also, Nitinji is not that immature a politician to have such a non-recognisable person bat for him. Something is happening behind the curtain here. We will have to wait,” said a two-term MLA in Maharashtra who is a close associate of Mr Gadkari.