Heads to roll in BJP over poll debacle

MANDATE 2004

Heads are set to roll in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the election debacle.

Although party President M Venkaiah Naidu had stressed that there would be no witch hunt within the party, some leaders feel that a change in the party structure would revitalise it in the run-up to Assembly polls in various states.

Also, with so many top leaders having lost in the elections, they will have to be adjusted within the party organisation.

"Earlier, when we thought we would win the elections, we planned that many top leaders would be accommodated within the government, now the situation is different," said a source in the BJP.

According to a senior leader, although Venakiah Naidu himself will be asked to complete his tenure till 2007, the central team will be revamped.

At least three general secretaries, and as many vice-presidents will have to go. "This will not include Pramod Mahajan as the Assembly polls in Mahatashtra are due and he is vital to its planning," a senior leader said.

However, Naidu dismissed suggestions that the party will fix the blame for the disastrous showing of the party.

"Yes, there will be some changes. However, this is because the present team had been appointed on an ad hoc basis because the announcement of polls did not permit a complete restructuring," he said.

Apart from the central leadership, a revamp is very much on the cards in Uttar Pradesh.

While state unit president Vinay Katiyar is expected to retain his post, the entire team appointed during Kalraj Mishra's tenure will be changed. The fact that the BJP could not reach double figures this time is weighing heavily on the party.

The other states where the BJP will see a revamp include Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. In Jharkhand, which was a former stronghold of the BJP, the party managed to win only one seat.

"The changes in Jharkhand will be complete in June, while in Orissa new office bearers will take over in July," said a senior leader.

Party General Secretary Sanjay Joshi will, by the end of June, receive reports anlaysing results in each state where the party had fought elections.