Jammu: Following the expulsion (technically resignation) of two cabinet ministers, the BJP in J&K is gearing up to go for a massive reshuffle of its ministers in the coalition government.
Though some TV channels today reported that all the BJP ministers in Mehbooba Mufti government have resigned following a ‘secret meeting’ of the party legislators, sources privy to the developments said that the resignations were sought by party president two days back.
Pushed to the wall, following its two ministers siding with the groups backing those accused of rape and murder of a minor in Kathua district, the BJP both the minister – Lal Singh and C P Ganga, though technically they were made to resign.
The decision may have not gone well with BJP’s core constituency so as a damage control strategy, the party asked all its ministers to submit their resignations for a massive overhaul.
“The resignations were submitted two days back. It has nothing to do with Kathua rape and murder case. BJP wants to introduce some new faces in the council of ministers,” highly placed party sources said.
Sources within BJP told Kashmir Images that the Central leadership of BJP is aghast as some ministers from the party have tried to alienate Bakerwals and Gujjars, who traditionally, have nothing to do with separatism and form first defence line of country along LoC and International Border.
The party, sources said, has decided to induct MLA Bani, Jeevan Lal into the ministry.
Lal, a former KAS officer, is from Gadhi community, which is sort of Hindu Bakerwal community and both the communities have very strong ties.
To address the reservations of Gujjars, party sources said, it has been decided to induct Sukhnandan into the cabinet.
Representing Mardh constituency, Sukhnanadan is seen very close to Gujjar community.
After Lal Singh’s exit, the party is too keen to induct some Rajput into the ministry and sources said that Rajiv Jasrotia, MLA Kathua, an old RSS hand, could be a choice.
Party, sources said, is not happy with Lal Singh’s tantrums as he has been hobnobbing with Vikramaditya Singh, son of Dr. Karan Singh, to form a Rajput outfit.
The party, sources said, is also considering to bring a Dalit face and is zeroing in on MLA Hiranagar, Kuldeep Raj and is planning to drop Bali Bhagat (another Dalit) from the cabinet. But the party is contemplating to make Bhagat as Speaker Legislative Assembly.
And finally the Brahmin constituency …. C P Ganga was the only Brahmin face and he is already out.
BJP sources said that to address the concerns of Brahmin community, the party has decided to induct another Brahmin, Sat Sharma into the cabinet and Speaker Kavinder Gupta too may be inducted.
According to top state government sources, the reshuffle is likely to take place on April 20.
The decision follows hectic parleys between senior BJP leader Avinash Khanna and party legislators, the sources said.
BJP refutes reports about resignation
Srinagar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday night refuted the reports of resignation of the party ministers from the Mehbooba Mufti-led cabinet in Jammu and Kashmir.
The State BJP Secretary Ashok Koul said that the reports about resignations of BJP ministers are totally baseless.
“It was a general meeting of BJP. Some people have spread false rumours. There is nothing like BJP ministers having resigned,” BJP general secretary Ashok Koul told Kashmir News Service (KNS).
He also blamed media for creating a hostile atmosphere to defame BJP.
Koul said that BJP works for strengthening the religious harmony between people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
‘We have been living harmoniously since centuries. BJP does not want to create Hindu vs Muslim situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Some anti-national elements are trying to disturb the atmosphere in the state. Today, they tried to spread rumours about slaughter of a calf in Vijaypur. But we will expose such elements,” he told KNS.
About today’s meeting, he said that the meeting held in Jammu was a routine meeting where leaders discussed public reach out program which will begin in the month of May.
