BJP allows secret ballot, Sushil Modi survives

Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi held on to his job as Deputy Chief Minister after an unprecedented secret ballot...

Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi held on to his job as Deputy Chief Minister after an unprecedented secret ballot, allowed by the party leadership, showed he enjoyed support of majority party MLAs and MLCs in the state.

While senior party leader Venkaiah Naidu told The Indian Express that “Modi got a clear majority when the votes were counted”, the rebels claimed Modi just about survived with 32 votes against him, 35 for him, two absentees. Naidu and Sushma Swaraj were the two observers for the vote. BJP general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal was also called in for the counting.

The Bihar legislators (55 MLAs and 14 MLCs) were asked whether they had confidence in the present leadership and who would their choice be “if they wanted a change”. Most of the pro-change legislators said “they wanted the new name to be settled by the central leadership”.

Story continues below this ad

The trouble in BJP’s Bihar unit erupted last month after a cabinet reshuffle saw some BJP ministers being dropped. After today’s vote, the rebels said they were down but not out. But the big worry for the party is that the secret ballot for Bihar may result in similar demands from other states to decide leadership issues.

But Modi, in an exclusive interview to The Indian Express, said he would go that extra mile to set the Bihar house in order. Excerpts:

•Are you happy that a secret ballot vote had to be used to decide your future? Even the central BJP was divided over Bihar…

It’s definitely not a happy situation, especially when we (the alliance government) have barely completed two-and-half years in the state. But I will reach out to the leaders who were unhappy (with my leadership). There was never any division in the central leadership over the Bihar issue.

•Will the rebels be offered ministerial berths?

Story continues below this ad

This is not the only option. I will ensure that the divide between the party and the government is bridged. We will work unitedly for the Lok Sabha elections.

•During the crisis, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar indicated to the BJP leadership that there is perfect synergy between you two…

I don’t think that Nitish Kumar has ever meddled in the internal affairs of the BJP.

•But haven’t you allowed the JD(U) to grow at the BJP’s expense?

Story continues below this ad

The BJP worker think that it’s JD(U) that calls the shots, and it’s the other way around for the JD(U) worker. It’s only to be expected when we are a “forty per cent” partner in the alliance.

•The JD(U) has expansionist designs and wants to get rid of the BJP in Bihar…

The JD(U) and the BJP have been allies since 1996. We have fought seven elections together. The alliance together will face elections in five states, including Jharkhand.

•Was the rebellion an upper caste charge against you?

I am not a community leader. I have been an MLA since 1990 and I will reach out to all our MLAs.