Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh on Wednesday met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and other senior RSS leaders and discussed the BJP’s organisational matters.
As speculation continued over Mr. Singh’s successor to take over the reins of the party, it is believed that names of probable candidates were also discussed at the meeting. The need for restructuring the party and filling vacant slots has arisen as many of the office-bearers have taken up ministerial positions in the Narendra Modi Cabinet.
Sources said Mr. Singh discussed with the RSS leaders the possible changes in the party. Among the probables for the party president’s post are general secretaries J.P. Nadda, Amit Shah and Om Prakash Mathur. While Mr. Nadda is from Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Shah, who is a confidant of Mr. Modi, led the party to a spectacular victory in Uttar Pradesh.
Mr. Mathur is a former Rajasthan BJP chief who is said to have good rapport with the RSS leaders. RSS point man for the BJP Suresh Soni was also present during the meeting.
Later, Mr. Singh also met Mr. Modi and is learnt to have apprised him of the discussions he had with RSS leaders.
Crucial roleSources said the new party chief’s role would be crucial as several States were scheduled to hold Assembly elections later this year.
The BJP is expected to soon kick start the process of appointing new general secretaries, new spokespersons and fill other vacancies and go for a rejig of positions.
Mr. Singh’s meeting with the RSS leaders fuelled speculation that discussion was also held about Article 370.
However, senior RSS leader Ram Madhav tweeted that discussions were about organisational matters and added that “media gossip is baffling.”
