The BJP would like to forget its first workers’ meeting after the declaration of Assembly elections in the state. Infighting within the party, to resolve which the meeting was called, was made public as members spoke from the dais about their resentments and complaints.They could not ensure a full house at the venue, Lohia Park. And the meeting that was addressed by Arun Jaitley, who was here to mobilise the workers and resolve their problems, started only after a two-hour delay. Party office-bearers were aware of the dissatisfaction among those members who were not given ticket, but they were shocked when even the chosen candidates aired their complaints from the stage. These candidates from rural constituencies said they were being given step-motherly treatment and not getting full support from the party. The poor turnout was blamed on the absence of senior leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee from the campaigning.At 1 pm, the meet began with each of the candidates giving their representation on the stage. Everything was going smooth, until Vidya Sagar Gupta, the BJP candidate from Lucknow (East), said: “We would win from the five seats in Lucknow”, leaving out the three rural seats falling in the district. The statement angered the rural candidates, who came on the dais only to speak of the “step-motherly” treatment meted out to them. Some even went on to say their rival candidates were purposely helped to win from their constituencies. “It is this lopsided party policy that helped the rival candidates win from our constituencies with heavy votes,” said Ram Rawat, the candidate from Malihabad (Reserved), from where BJP has been losing with large number of votes. Virendra Tiwari, the candidate from Sarojaninagar seat, said: “We are like unclaimed bodies. While we continuously work towards strengthening our party, when it comes to supporting us, the candidates from other parties are supported to win against us.” In his address, Arun Jaitley said: “It is true that each and every seat is important since UP election is a route to the Centre, and I, therefore, request all of you to unite and work to bring the party to power.”
