BHOPAL: A closed-door meeting of BJP‘s national general secretary Kailash Vijayavargiya and Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra caused ripples in state politics.
The meeting which lasted for an hour was convened at Mishra’s official residence where the two leaders are believed to have focused on the present political scenario in the state amid speculations over a possible rejig in the organisation and at the Centre.
Vijayavargiya, who was in charge of West Bengal affairs, reached the state capital after six months. He has not been allotted a new responsibility by the BJP leadership after the Bengal elections.
During his recent visits to Indore, Vijayavargiya had expressed displeasure over decisions taken by the local administration to impose lockdown during the pandemic. As the government has decided to unlock the restrictions in some districts from June 1, the two leaders are believed to have discussed plans to provide relief to local industries and manufacturing sectors.
“The Madhya Pradesh government has done a remarkable job to control the pandemic. The health department officials have also managed well with the district collectors to control the crisis. This was a formal courtesy meeting between two friends. I came to the capital after six months and was eager to meet some friends. Obviously, when two leaders meet they discuss politics but it was casual,” said Vijayavargiya after the meeting.
Home minister Mishra though ruled out any plan behind the talk. “Kailash ji was in charge of Bengal elections and I was an assistant. He is a good friend who accepted my request to meet over a cup of tea. The meeting was casual. It should not be seen through any political prism,” Mishra told reporters after the meeting.
Sources in BJP disclosed that the two leaders share a good rapport and the last time they met on December 8 in Bhopal ahead of assembly elections in West Bengal. Mishra was also in charge of 48 assembly seats in the state. Vijayavargiya remained active in the state in the month of June last year when the BJP had plans for cabinet expansion after Shivraj Singh Chouhan took over as the chief minister for the fourth time. Now again Vijayavargiya is believed to have shifted to state politics.
With speculations rife over a possible rejig at the Centre, as sources in BJP disclosed that half a dozen ministers are likely to be inducted in the ensuing cabinet expansion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP sources hint that apart from Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia, a few more leaders in Madhya Pradesh are hopeful to get a berth in the central cabinet.
The main opposition Congress has taken a dig at the closed-door meeting between two saffron stalwarts hinting out at a political plan. “In a one-hour closed-door meeting, Shivraj government’s work was openly reviewed?” tweeted Congress state media coordinator, Narendra Saluja, hinting at a possible strategy between the two leaders who are believed to be the chief minister’s bate-noire.
The meeting which lasted for an hour was convened at Mishra’s official residence where the two leaders are believed to have focused on the present political scenario in the state amid speculations over a possible rejig in the organisation and at the Centre.
Vijayavargiya, who was in charge of West Bengal affairs, reached the state capital after six months. He has not been allotted a new responsibility by the BJP leadership after the Bengal elections.
During his recent visits to Indore, Vijayavargiya had expressed displeasure over decisions taken by the local administration to impose lockdown during the pandemic. As the government has decided to unlock the restrictions in some districts from June 1, the two leaders are believed to have discussed plans to provide relief to local industries and manufacturing sectors.
“The Madhya Pradesh government has done a remarkable job to control the pandemic. The health department officials have also managed well with the district collectors to control the crisis. This was a formal courtesy meeting between two friends. I came to the capital after six months and was eager to meet some friends. Obviously, when two leaders meet they discuss politics but it was casual,” said Vijayavargiya after the meeting.
Home minister Mishra though ruled out any plan behind the talk. “Kailash ji was in charge of Bengal elections and I was an assistant. He is a good friend who accepted my request to meet over a cup of tea. The meeting was casual. It should not be seen through any political prism,” Mishra told reporters after the meeting.
Sources in BJP disclosed that the two leaders share a good rapport and the last time they met on December 8 in Bhopal ahead of assembly elections in West Bengal. Mishra was also in charge of 48 assembly seats in the state. Vijayavargiya remained active in the state in the month of June last year when the BJP had plans for cabinet expansion after Shivraj Singh Chouhan took over as the chief minister for the fourth time. Now again Vijayavargiya is believed to have shifted to state politics.
With speculations rife over a possible rejig at the Centre, as sources in BJP disclosed that half a dozen ministers are likely to be inducted in the ensuing cabinet expansion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP sources hint that apart from Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia, a few more leaders in Madhya Pradesh are hopeful to get a berth in the central cabinet.
The main opposition Congress has taken a dig at the closed-door meeting between two saffron stalwarts hinting out at a political plan. “In a one-hour closed-door meeting, Shivraj government’s work was openly reviewed?” tweeted Congress state media coordinator, Narendra Saluja, hinting at a possible strategy between the two leaders who are believed to be the chief minister’s bate-noire.