Having dealt a blow to the Congress, the BJP is now pondering over 'utilising' senior Congress leader Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi's in the party. The BJP think-tank has the task of accommodating suitably the senior Congress leader in its fold, with the Assembly elections just four months away.
Given Rakesh's seniority (four-time MlA), the BJP has to find a suitable role for him. local BJP leaders say the experience of inducting such leaders has not been good. In 2004, the BJP had won over former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh's brother laxman, dealing a blow to the Congress. He won the 2004 polls, but the subsequent experience was not good for both the sides. laxman Singh alleged he could not get a significant place in the BJP, while the BJP felt he had a feudal approach.
Party insiders feel that it would be difficult to accommodate a leader who is considered as one of the most intelligent members of the State Assembly and reaches the House after making thorough preparations. Sources claimed that Rakesh had started feeling suffocated in the Congress, when he along with another legislator, Kalpana Parulekar was terminated from the House on July 18, 2012 for unruly behaviour with the Chair. They had expressed regret later. Since then, he was waiting for the right opportunity to cross over to the other side.
The Congress had announced to make the termination of its two MlAs' membership an issue, but after both the legislators sought apology from the Speaker, leader of Opposition had started maintaining distance with Rakesh. He reportedly said he had kept himself completely aloof from the process
Rakesh was suspecting that he might not get the Congress ticket. Besides, PCC chief Kantilal Bhuria time and again said that 'Phool Chhap' (lotus brand) Congress leaders need to be found out. Sources claimed that the script of the episode was written around a week back when Rakesh had a closed-door meeting with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishtra at the latter's residence in the presence of BJP's organisational general secretary Arvind Menon.
BJP sources claimed that there had been several factors responsible for Rakesh's entry into the BJP. The ruling party has agreed to provide party ticket to Rakesh's brother, Mukesh from Mehgaon or Ater Assembly constituencies. It has also been decided that Rakesh would be fielded in the lok Sabha polls from Morena constituency, which is represented by State BJP president Narendra Singh Tomar. Tomar has decided to contest parliamentary election from Gwalior that is represented by Yashodhara Raje Scindia.
Notably, both Mehgaon and Ater Assembly seats are with the BJP and if Rakesh's brother is given ticket from any of these seats, one of sitting MlAs would not get a ticket.