Changes likely among BJP office-bearers

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG. 29. The new BJP president, Mr. Bangaru Laxman, has already begun consultations with senior party leaders as well as those in Government on the reconstitution of the list of office- bearers, appointment of presidents of front organisations, and reconstitution of the national executive committee.

Of crucial importance will be the posts of five general secretaries, which form the backbone of the party organisation. Mr. Laxman has indicated that he would like to create a proper functioning mechanism for coordination between party and Government ``right down to the grassroots level.''

There is expectation that after his ``Muslims are flesh of our flesh and blood of our blood'' speech, Mr. Laxman may consider elevating Mr. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, currently a national secretary, to the level of general secretary. He was one of those fielded in Nagpur to defend the political resolution.

While certainly Mr. K.N. Govindacharya and Mr. Narendra Modi are expected to be retained as general secretaries, Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu could be inducted into the Union Cabinet, though he has been repeatedly stating that he would prefer to remain with the party. Another name which could be possibly considered is Mr. Satyanarain Singh, former Yuva Morcha president. Mr. Sushil Modi may be considered to be too important in Bihar to be moved away from there.

Senior party leaders have confirmed that the party has at least on two occasions wanted to induct Ms. Sushma Swaraj back as general secretary but she has refused. Now it remains to be seen whether she will be asked once again and what her response would be. Definitely, there is a feeling that coldness marks her relationship with the Prime Minister.

There is also Ms. Uma Bharti, a backward caste woman who had a successful tenure as Yuva Morcha president. But that would depend on whether she is at all willing to change her mind about virtually withdrawing from politics.

Mr. Sahib Singh Verma could also be given some important party assignment, perhaps the presidentship of the Kisan Morcha. Party leaders indicated that the new list of office- bearers may be announced before the Prime Minister leaves for the United States, as certainly Mr. Laxman will be consulting him, the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, and even the outgoing president, Mr. Kushabhau Thakre. General secretaries, Mr. Naidu and Mr. Govindacharya have both begun the exercise to shortlist persons to help Mr. Laxman make his choice.

The party's national executive committee, an entirely nominated body with some ex-officio members, has about 75 regular members and the party's constitution makes it mandatory for at least 25 per cent of the members to be changed. This work will also have to be completed. While all the office-bearers are members of the executive committee, there is no provision which makes changes in the list of office-bearers mandatory.

Mr. Laxman will have to balance the regional representation and the caste composition of his office-bearers and executive committee. There is also the view that the party needs to induct some fresh faces.

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