Amid signs of rebellion in its ranks and frequent talks about change in the State leadership, BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday ruled out any possibility of change of guard in Haryana and said that the party would contest next Assembly elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar lal.
“I have talked to the MlAs and party workers here. They have agreed that the BJP Government under Manohar lal has undertaken a lot of development work in Haryana. He (Manohar lal) will be our leader till the next election,” said Amit Shah while talking to the mediapersons at Rohtak, during his second day of visit to Haryana.
Amit Shah, however, evaded the question on resentment among party workers against the bureaucrats and the functioning of the first BJP Government in Haryana.
When asked about open show of resentment by party workers and MlAs, he said that it is party’s internal matter but everyone accepts that a lot of development work has been carried out under the leadership of Manohar lal in the State.
A day before, the BJP chief had held meetings with party workers and MlAs, where several party members had raised questions on the issues like corruption, pending development works, inaccessibility of the Chief Minister’s office (CMO). The issue of Jat reservation was also raised during these meetings.
In the past, several MlAs and MPs in BJP have aired their grievances at public platforms against their own Government and Chief Minister. The issue of infighting within the State party unit has also dented the image of BJP led Haryana Government.
Replying to a question on anti-Jat statements issued by two MPs of BJP, the party chief said that their statements are their personal opinion.
“I will call them for a meeting and issue directions in this regard,” said he, when asked about the action taken against Kurukshetra MP Raj Kumar Saini and Karnal MP Ashwani Chopra, who had repeatedly issued statements against a community to provoke them.
On the issue of Jat reservation and other demands put forth by the Jat community following the violent agitation last year, Amit Shah said that the State Government is already pursuing the matter in the Court.
Commenting on the contentious Sutlej Yamuna link canal issue between Haryana and Punjab Governments, the BJP chief said that the Centre has earlier held a joint meeting of two States and will make efforts to resolve the issue amicably.
Notably, Punjab is opposed to the construction of SYl canal, saying it does not have surplus water to share with Haryana while the Supreme Court has given its verdict in Haryana’s favor for SYl construction.
Responding to a question related to waiver of farm loans by BJP led Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra Governments but not by Haryana Government, Shah said that it is for the State Government to take a call on the issue of waiver of farm loans.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had clarified that decision regarding waiver of farm loans had to be taken by the respective State Governments. States which have waived loans of farmers have taken the decision at their own level, he added.
lauding the initiatives of the State Government, Shah said that teachers transfer policy of Haryana should be implemented by other States. Haryana has also become the first kerosene-free State in the country, he added.
On the issue of strengthening the party ahead of 2019 polls, Shah said a plan had been prepared to strengthen each and every booth in the State irrespective of caste considerations.
The BJP do not believe in caste politics, he said when asked about his party’s strategy to ensure victory in Jat dominated areas in 2019 assembly polls and lok Sabha polls.
During the second day of his visit to Haryana, the BJP chief held meetings with State cabinet, incharge of various BJP committees and cells, RSS leaders, BJP core group to hold discussion on strategies to be adopted to further widen party’s base in the State.
Shah also reviewed the schemes and projects undertaken by the BJP Government in Haryana during its 1000 days tenure and the welfare schemes to be implemented in the remaining tenure of the Government.