Gadkari’s new team: The young, old and glamorous

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, March 16: The BJP announced Nitin Gadkari’s new team of office-bearers on Tuesday, at pains to point out that women have been given considerable representation.

 

Party spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad also said it was a balanced team with a blend of the young and old, regional representation and a mix of experience and new vigour. All former BJP Chief Ministers and governors for instance find place among office-holders or the national executive.

Notably, Hema Malini and Najma Heptullah are among the Vice-Presidents, as is UP veteran Kalraj Mishra, an indication of the BJP appealing again to the Brahmin vote bank in the state.

As expected younger leaders Varun Gandhi and Navjyot Singh Sidhu are party Secretaries, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje joins the list of General Secretaries and two new party spokespersons join the panel - Shahnawaz Hussain and Tarun Vijay. And, as Ravi Shankar Prasad, General Secretary and Chief spokesman pointed out there is a woman spokesperson too in Nirmala Sitharaman.

But sources say the list of leaders selected by Gadkari is not the Dream Team of the BJP’s parent body, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).

There was much anticipation around the role for Varun Gandhi. Despite his hate speech in the campaign for the last general elections, Varun now has a senior role. The BJP seemed to be searching for young leaders who can draw large crowds and connect with them i.e. their equivalent of Rahul Gandhi. His brief is clear: resurrect the BJP in UP, which will pit him directly against his cousin, Rahul, who is widely credited with reviving the Congress’ fortunes in the state.

Courtesy- Ndtv