In-house dissent is getting formalised in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls.
Considerable political significance is being attached to Girijashankar Sharma, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator and brother of Assembly Speaker Sitasaran Sharma, joining a Vichar Manch that has been formed against the establishment and raising issues against the State Government.
The Manch was formed recently to highlight the irregularities committed by the Madhya Pradesh Government. Akshay Hoonka, a member of the Manch, said that an effort has been made to bring all those raising voice against the administration, Government or system, under one umbrella.
At a meeting of the Manch held at Hoshangabad on Saturday, Girijashankar participated and discussed issues with other members of the forum.
While talking to 'The Pioneer,' Girijashankar Sharma accepted that he did attend the meeting. "You can say that I have joined the Vichar Manch. However, a formal meeting is also scheduled soon in Bhopal," he added.
To a query, he stated that he was suspended from the BJP in 2014 and since then he has been searching for some platform to remain politically active. He was a senior party member and being brother of the Speaker, his joining the Manch has sent a message to the party leaders.
Notably, on November 20, 2014, Girijashankar was suspended on the charge of campaigning against the party nominee in Hoshangabad.
Girijashankar has been two-term BJP legislator from Hoshangabad and he was annoyed over the party ticket for Hoshangabad municipality chairman given to Akhilesh Khandelwal. Following this, he had started campaigning in faovur of BJP rebel Narendra Pandey, who was contesting as an independent.