Chandigarh BJP to put up united show today

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 24

The ruling BJP would try to put up a united show tomorrow as it kicks off its campaign for Municipal Corporation (MC) elections. The civic body is scheduled to go to polls on December 24.

The city BJP, which had earlier been marred with factionalism and infighting, will have its top four leaders together. City BJP president Arun Sood, MP Kirron Kher (virtually), ex-president Sanjay Tandon and former MP Satya Pal Jain will be sharing a stage tomorrow at the party office on the launch of “Mera Chandigarh Mera Sujhav” event.

During the most part of the five-year term of the MC, party councillors and these leaders had reportedly remained divided. The party was earlier said to have factions led by Kirron, Tandon and Jain. Though the trio always denied factionalism, it was visible at several public events as many councillors used to attend events only of the particular leader they owed allegiance to.

During mayoral elections, the differences had come out in the open on a few occasions. Two of the factions had even reportedly sent written complaints against each other to the party high command.

But with elections around the corner, the party high command seems to have told them to put up a united face. However, it will be interesting to see whether the ‘union’ would stay after the candidates are announced and after the elections are over.

On Monday night, BJP national vice-president Saudan Singh and general secretary Vinod Tavde had a meeting with the four leaders at Tandon’s residence. Kirron attended the meeting virtually. The four leaders are said to have been told to contest the election unitedly so that the saffron party could retain the power in the Municipal Corporation.

Meeting held at Tandon’s place

On Monday night, BJP national vice-president Saudan Singh and general secretary Vinod Tawde had a meeting with city BJP president Arun Sood, MP Kirron Kher (virtually), ex-president Sanjay Tandon and former MP Satya Pal Jain at Tandon's residence. Kirron attended the meeting virtually. The four leaders are said to have been told to contest the election unitedly so that the saffron party could retain the power in the Municipal Corporation.