The Chhattisgarh unit of BJP has been trying to rope in former district Panchayat President Chhaya Verma in the party fold even as the Congress party denied a ticket to her for contesting from the Raipur lok Sabha seat.
Just a day earlier, the Congress party finally cleared the name of former Minister Satyanarayan Sharma for contesting the lok Sabha poll from the Raipur seat. Sensing widespread discontent among Chhaya Verma's supporters over the Congress party's decision, the BJP , it was learnt now wants her to switch sides and join the party.
According to sources, some leaders associated with former union minister and BJP candidate from Raipur lok Sabha seat Ramesh Bais had made efforts in this respect, but Verma is yet to respond.
Earlier, the Congress had made Chhaya Verma candidate from Raipur lok Sabha seat, but later, evaluating her as weak candidate, the party has declared the name of former minister and Raipur (Rural) MlA Satyanarayan Sharma, in her place.
Verma is said to be angry over the party revoking her ticket. She has switched off her mobile and not meeting any one. However, Congress leaders have claimed that Chhaya Verma is not angry and she would engage herself in campaigning for the party.
According to the sources, some leaders close to Ramesh Bais have been trying to contact people close to Verma. One of the MlAs of the district has been given the responsibility to contact Chhaya Verma and to bring her into the party fold.
However, the office-bearers of Kurmi Samaj are angry over not giving ticket to Chhaya Verma. The held a meeting also in this regard on Sunday, in which they said that it was a humiliation to the community to revoke the ticket of Verma. They have also prepared a further action plan against the Congress.
Chhaya Verma had been considered ardent supporter of former minister Satyanarayan Sharma. Sharma had played vital role in making her District Panchayat President. He considers her as his daughter and trying to hold discussion with her and to put her into electioneering.