Kalyan ‘refuses’ Gov post, wants ministerial berth for son Rajveer
Kalyan, a former UP chief minister, has a strong following among Lodh and other backward castes voters in UP.
BJP national vice-president Kalyan Singh is believed to have refused the Governor’s post and has instead demanded a ministerial berth for his son, Rajveer Singh alias Raju Bhaiyya, who is Etah MP.
While Kalyan could not be contacted, Rajveer said, “An offer for the post of Governor to Kalyan Singh has not yet come officially. The news about the offer or refusal has been created by the media.”
Sources in the party, however, said Kalyan met party national president Rajnath Singh and some other senior leaders of the party last week and said he was reluctant to take up the gubernatorial post. Kalyan was told to choose either West Bengal or Karnataka, sources said.
A senior party leader said Kalyan wants Rajveer’s induction as Minister of State in the next cabinet expansion that is likely after the budget session. But, sources said, the party is not keen to send Rajveer in the government; he may given a ministry ahead of the 2017 UP Assembly elections to appease the Lodh voters.
Kalyan, a former UP chief minister, has a strong following among Lodh and other backward castes voters in UP. “He will lose this following as well as his workers if he takes charge as Governor. Rajveer’s elevation will keep the Lodh voters intact that will be vital in various constituencies of Lodh dominated Braj region in the 2017 elections,” said a party leader.
He added that Kalyan’s motive behind elevating his son is also to bring him in the race for CM’s post in the 2017 Assembly elections.
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