New Delhi: Even though Sushma Swaraj denied differences within Bharatiya Janata Party over the Varanasi constituency candidate, party veteran Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday sent out a subtle message to the party leadership by saying it should keep in mind the winnability aspect besides the "prestige" of the Prime Ministerial candidate while taking a decision. According to reports, BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi would contest 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi, which is represented by Joshi.
However, amid speculation of Kejriwal contesting against Modi, the BJP is yet to take decision on Varanasi.
When repeatedly pressed for his expectations and whether he would agree to Modi contesting from Varanasi, Joshi, a five-time Lok Sabha MP, was non-committal. He said, "The party would take a decision which will neither dent the prestige of our PM candidate nor compromise party's winning chances," implying that he is the best bet. Joshi added that he would accept party's decision as a "disciplined soldier".
Joshi, who is believed to be unhappy over Modi contesting from Varanasi, also raised the issue at the meeting of BJP's Election Committee meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. However, Swaraj, who is understood to have joined Joshi on the issue at the meeting on Saturday, tried to downplay any rift in the party.
"I was present in the meeting in Delhi yesterday. Names of candidates for Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh did not figure in the deliberations. The Opposition is playing dirty games by planing news in the media. Media reports in this regard are baseless," she said.
She also denied reports that she had left the meeting half way because of her anger, saying she had pre-planned programme in Madhya Pradesh and was scheduled to leave early.
Some sections of the BJP are keen that Modi should contest from Varanasi but Joshi is asserting his right over his candidature from the constituency in Uttar Pradesh. They believe that Modi contesting from Varanasi could galvanise the party base in the crucial region of eastern UP and maximise its winning chances in UP where 80 Lok Sabha seats are at stake.
Meanwhile, a group of local BJP leaders on Friday launched a signature campaign demanding that Modi should fight the Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi. Under the campaign, locals have been asked to sign in support of the demand for Modi to contest from here.
In the CEC meet on Saturday, the BJP released 52 names in its second lists for the 2014 polls but did not name candidate from Varanasi. The party will release its third list of Lok Sabha candidates on March 13.
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