Grassroots workers lock offices in Udhampur, accuse BJP of ignoring dedicated leaders for political convenience. Party’s choice of R.S. Pathania over Pawan Khajuria fuels accusations of favoritism and corruption.
Avinash Azad
In a surprising turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds itself embroiled in internal strife once again, as supporters of senior leader Pawan Khajuria express their outrage over the party’s candidate selection for the Udhampur East seat.
The announcement of the BJP’s sixth list of candidates on Sunday has sparked a fierce backlash, with party workers and leaders from Udhampur taking to the streets in protest. The epicenter of the unrest is the BJP’s district headquarters in Udhampur, where agitated party members locked the office and raised slogans against both the national and state leadership. The air was thick with tension as chants of “BJP Murdabad,” “Ravinder Raina (state president) Murdabad,” and “R.S. Pathania (declared candidate) Murdabad” echoed through the town.
At the heart of the controversy lies the party’s decision to field R.S. Pathania, a former BJP legislator from the Ram Nagar assembly constituency, instead of the widely expected Pawan Khajuria. This unexpected move has left Khajuria’s supporters feeling betrayed and marginalized.
One party insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed, “We had warned the party high command to rectify their blunder and issue a fresh list declaring Pawan Khajuria as the party’s candidate. But it seems that money may have played a role in this decision.” The source added, “We waited patiently, but when the leadership remained adamant, we decided to quit the party en masse.”
The resentment among party workers is palpable, with many questioning the rationale behind the party’s choice. Critics point out that Pathania’s track record as an MLA in Ram Nagar was lackluster, citing his failure to improve existing schools, hospitals, and other public infrastructure. “Now they’re imposing him on us, but we won’t accept it at any cost,” declared a vocal Khajuria supporter.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the recent delimitation process, which has redrawn electoral boundaries. The Ram Nagar constituency, previously represented by Pathania, is now reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates. This change has forced Pathania to seek a new political home, leading to his surprise inclusion in the Udhampur East list.
The BJP’s decision has not only angered Khajuria’s supporters but also potentially strengthened the position of rival candidates. Balwan Singh, a former BJP leader and ex-BDC Chairperson of Udhampur, who recently joined the Panther Party, is now seen as a formidable contender for the MLA position in Udhampur West. The growing resentment against the BJP’s candidate selection is expected to boost Singh’s prospects significantly.
The ripple effects of this internal discord extend beyond Udhampur. In Bahu (formerly Gandhi Nagar), the party’s nomination of Vikram Randhawa has raised eyebrows. Randhawa, a former MLC, had previously launched a campaign against Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, leveling corruption allegations in May 2021. Although Randhawa later withdrew his statements following disciplinary action, his inclusion in the candidate list has reignited old controversies.
This is not the first time the BJP has faced backlash from its ground-level workers. Earlier, when the first list of candidates was issued, the party was forced to withdraw it within hours due to widespread resentment among workers and leaders. The ongoing turmoil suggests a deeper disconnect between the party’s decision-makers and its grassroots supporters.
Political analysts warn that this growing dissatisfaction among loyal party workers and leaders who have risen through the ranks could significantly dent the BJP’s electoral ambitions. The party’s target of securing a majority in the upcoming elections may be at risk if it fails to address these internal divisions promptly.
Pawan Khajuria, known for his unwavering loyalty to the BJP, now finds himself at a crossroads. While he has not made any public statements, some of his supporters are urging him on social media to join a regional party and contest the election independently, arguing that this move would better serve the interests of the region.
As the BJP grapples with this internal crisis, questions arise about the party’s candidate selection process and its ability to manage dissent within its ranks. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the party can bridge the widening gap between its leadership and its base or if this revolt will lead to a significant realignment of political forces in Udhampur and beyond.
The unfolding drama in Udhampur serves as a stark reminder of the challenges political parties face in balancing local aspirations with broader strategic considerations. As the election draws nearer, all eyes will be on how the BJP navigates this turbulent period and whether it can quell the rebellion within its ranks before it’s too late.
