BJP MP who beat Scindia in 2019 now alleges ‘factionalism’ by his supporters, writes to Nadda
Politics

BJP MP who beat Scindia in 2019 now alleges ‘factionalism’ by his supporters, writes to Nadda

Guna MP Krishnapal Singh Yadav alleges Jyotiraditya Scindia’s supporters are spoiling atmosphere, says 'those who were recently inducted are yet to adjust themselves' to BJP way.

   

Jyotiraditya Scindia at the BJP headquarters, New Delhi | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

New Delhi: ‘Factionalism’ is back to the fore in Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a letter to BJP national president J.P. Nadda, dated last month, Guna MP Krishnapal Singh Yadav accused Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s supporters of spoiling the atmosphere of the party by indulging in traditions contrary to the principles of the organisation, and creating factionalism.

Yadav had defeated Scindia in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when the latter was still with the Congress. He moved with his supporters and over 20 MLAs to the BJP in 2020, and is now a Rajya Sabha MP and Union civil aviation minister.

Speaking to ThePrint Saturday, after the letter came to the fore, Yadav said he felt it was his duty to apprise the party leadership of the ground situation, as it would have an adverse impact on the workers.

“This has been going on for some time now and I felt it was important to highlight it. BJP is a big party, and for years, many have joined the party from other parties. This is not new. But I think that those who were recently inducted are yet to adjust themselves to the way BJP functions,” the Lok Sabha MP said.

“We want everyone to work together for the greater good and hence it is important to stay united. Such incidents will only affect the morale of the workers who work tirelessly for the party. I felt it was my duty to make the party aware of this. I don’t have anything against anyone,” he added.


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Factionalism leading to confusion

In the letter, dated 8 December 2021, Yadav has written that Scindia’s supporters are creating factionalism by following traditions contrary to the principles of the party. He also wrote that this is creating confusion among the cadre. He also alleged that in the programmes organised by Scindia supporters, he and the party were being neglected.

“Discipline of the BJP workers makes our party different from others… but for some time in my Lok Sabha constituency, the supporters of Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia ji, the ministers of the state and his supporters have started the practice of traditions contrary to the principles of the party, due to which there is confusion among party workers. The situation has arisen and the wrong message is being sent to the general public, due to which they are upset,” he wrote.

“Party workers and I are neglected in programmes organised by supporters and ministers close to Shri Scindia in my Lok Sabha constituency whether by the party or the government. I am not even given an invitation for the inauguration or a launch programme of any work. I am also not given a proper place according to protocol… Whereas many of them are such which have been included in the central schemes due to my continuous efforts. Even while putting up posters, banners in the context of party programmes, protocols are not followed,” he added.

Yadav said such behaviour leads to factionalism and also provides opportunities for other parties to flourish which, which he said is not appropriate. He added that Congress leader and former CM Digvijaya Singh also has a keen interest in the Guna area, and such incidents provide an opportunity for him to become active.

Yadav also claimed that Scindia supporters boycotted meetings that were chaired by him in the capacity of an MP. “The workers are upset and frustrated. This does not send a good message to Gwalior-Chambal division apart from Guna, Shivpuri and Ashoknagar districts,” he said in the letter.


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Senior leadership is noticing

The letter has come at a time when Madhya Pradesh assembly elections are still nearly two years away, but the BJP has already started gearing up for them.

Hitesh Bajpai, BJP’s state spokesperson for Madhya Pradesh, said senior leaders are aware of the issues flagged by Yadav.

“The entire issue is in the notice of senior leadership. We will inform you whenever the party decides anything on the matter. We can’t comment further on this,” said Bajpai.

(Edited by Manoj Ramachandran)


Also read: Gwalior stands with Scindia, feels he’s right to quit Congress