JAMMU, MAY 21: Search has begun for the new president of BJP unit in Jammu and Kashmir. As the tenure of the present state BJP supremo Daya Krishan Kotwal is to end on May 31, a number of aspirants for the top post have started canvassing for themselves.A cursory visit to the State BJP headquarters in Jammu and small talk with senior BJP leaders is enough to give a indication as to who all are vying for the coveted seat. While a clearer picture is expected to emerge only by the last week of May, names of some aspirants have already started doing the rounds.A senior office bearer of BJP, who is also vying for the slot, affirmed, on condition of anonymity, that hectic parleys and meetings of various groups within the party's state unit were taking place to ``select the right person''. He also disclosed some prominent contenders had visited Delhi to plead their case.Among those who are supposed to be in the race for the president's post are party MLA from Jammu West Hans Raj Dogra, MLA Jammu Cantonment Choudhary Piara Singh, General Secretary Nirmal Singh and another vice president Chander Mohan Sharma.Of these, three are already supposed to have started campaigning for support. The probability of some dark horse emerging and clinching the deal is also not ruled out. Interestingly, present chief D K Kotwal is also said to be interested in remaining in the saddle for the next three years. The term of the BJP president, national as well as state, has been increased to three years in place of the previous two years. Kotwal, who is also member of the State Legislative Council, has been claiming that under him the party has risen to new heights and made inroads in previously anti-BJP areas. His supporters are saying that Kotwal was instrumental in the increased victory margin of BJP MP from Doda and present Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Chaman Lal Gupta in the last Parliamentary elections.But, Kotwal's critics within the party allege that he lacks a broad vision - ``a must for the party chief in this critical state''. They also say that Kotwal has been unable to come to grips with party affairs and has antagonised many leaders with his handling of party issues. Kotwal's ``lacklustre'' performance in the Council is also referred to by his detractors.The elections will also decide as to which group - one owing its allegiance to MP Vaid Vishno Datt and the other backed by Chaman Lal Gupta - is more powerful. Though, most senior party leaders pooh-pooh any reference to groupism in the party, the undercurrents of tension during meetings are too visible for anybody to ignore them.Among the main contenders, Choudhary Piara Singh, a Chaman supporter, is being opposed by majority of leaders. His detractors point out that he is relatively a new entrant and must not be entrusted with the top job without letting him work for the party for some more time. Nirmal Singh and Chander Mohan Sharma, both senior leaders who have held many important posts in the party, are quite hopeful of getting the nod. Nirmal, incidentally, is in the good books of senior national leaders of the party also. Surprisingly, a known Chaman camper and BJP legislature party leader, Shiv Charan Gupta is also said to have allowed his friends in the party to float his name for the top job. A seasoned politician that he is, Gupta will wait for some time to see which way the wind blows, and only then throw his hat in the ring. But, one fact which every BJP leader acknowledges is that the most important factor which will decide the new president is the ``blessings'' of the RSS.Narendra Modi, national General Secretary and in charge J&K, will also play a crucial role in deciding the next president. ``He will, if it comes to that, help the state leaders in ``arriving at a consensus'' on the issue of the new state BJP chief,'' a party leader observed.
