PM Modi, Amit Shah decided RS list, Swamy made the cut with National Herald case

The decision to nominate Subramanian Swamy and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Rajya Sabha was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah without inputs from any senior party leader.

Subramanian Swamy is learnt to have been backed by Mohan Bhagwat. (Express Photo By-Ganesh Shirsekar)

The decision to nominate Subramanian Swamy and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Rajya Sabha was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah without inputs from any senior party leader, though Arun Jaitley was “duly consulted” before the exercise was undertaken. This reflects the complete control the two men now have over the party, compared to 2014 when they were still considered “outsiders” and turned to central leaders of Delhi for advice.

According to a senior BJP leader, the selection of six Rajya Sabha members in the nominated category is the beginning of a series of political decisions to be taken by Modi and Shah over the next three months: the much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, Shah’s new team at the party headquarters on Ashoka Road, and selection of BJP candidates for the next round of Rajya Sabha elections.

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The source said the selection of the six nominees was based entirely on merit. “Our leadership has no favourites, no loyalists. There is nothing personal whatsoever. The party’s core interest is central and that is our lone criteria in selection. Whoever is contributing directly to the BJP’s broader goal is our favourite,” the source said.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Swamy was dropped as a choice for the New Delhi seat. It is learnt that this time Swamy had the backing of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Those opposed to Swamy’s induction were reminded that he had “worked relentlessly” in the National Herald case.

Sidhu, who had to vacate his Amritsar Lok Sabha seat for Jaitley (who did not win), is learnt to have spoken to Jaitley before his name was announced. The decision to send Sidhu to Rajya Sabha was a pre-emptive move by Shah to stop him from switching loyalty to the AAP in Punjab. The BJP support base, the source said, is among Punjabi Hindu voters and given the shadow of the Akali Dal, the party lacks an assertive identity.

The decision to nominate economist Narendra Jadhav, member of the erstwhile National Advisory Council headed by Sonia Gandhi, also came as a surprise. But a BJP leader said, “The BJP needs a neutral expert and commentator to help us build an opinion.”

Boxing star MC Mary Kom was surprised at her nomination. She was selected “as a representative of the Christian community in the Northeast, and also because she is an accomplished sportswoman.” Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi was chosen partly because he is a Nair. The BJP has a following among Ezhavas but not Nairs. A Nair with mass appeal could help the BJP dent Nair votes and the party hopes to counter Shashi Tharoor of the Congress who too is a Nair.

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Journalist Swapan Dasgupta made the cut because it was felt he was one of the few “who has been so ably, and consistently, articulating the party point of view on television and in print media”. Dasgupta is considered close to Modi, Shah and Jaitley.

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