BJP leaders urge brass to resolve rift between Chouhan, state chief

Flagging issues that could have an adverse impact on the party's electoral fortunes in Madhya Pradesh, such as a demotivated cadre and a disconnect between the party and government, a section of leaders from the poll-bound state have urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command and functionaries of the party's ideological fount, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to intervene and set the house in order, said people aware of the details.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran

The party's defeat in Karnataka, despite the BJP government's claims of development and social welfare measures, has set alarm bells ringing and the party has decided to redouble efforts in Madhya Pradesh to intensify outreach and underline the pro-people policies.

The lack of coordination between chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state unit president VD Sharma has been identified as a major impediment in getting the cadre to execute decisions, according to two leaders who spoke on condition of anonymity. A leadership crisis and the state unit being in disarray was raised at the state executive meeting this committee week, they said.