Thakur146;s resignation bodes trouble for Dhumal

The resignation of Narender Thakur, son of late BJP leader Jagdev Chand, from the Bharatiya Janata Party and joining the Congress is sure to dilute the BJP8217;s enthusiasm in Dhumal8217;s home district Hamirpur.

The resignation of Narender Thakur, son of late BJP leader Jagdev Chand, from the Bharatiya Janata Party and joining the Congress is sure to dilute the BJP8217;s enthusiasm in Dhumal8217;s home district Hamirpur.

Though Narender Thakur is not a heavyweight or a person whose influence overrides that of Dhumal in his native belt, the signals coming from Hamipur are worrying.

Jagdev Chand, who died in 1993, less than a week after he was elected as MLA from Hamirpur even after the BJP8217;s crushing defeat in the Assembly polls, was a legendary political figure and the family8217;s influence remains intact even now. In all probability, Thakur will be the Congress8217; next candidate for the Lok Sabha from Hamirpur, whereas the BJP has already declared Anurag Thakur, Dhumal8217;s son, as its candidate.

On record, the BJP refuses to agree with reports about any adverse political impact. 8220;At the moment, we can only say that the partymen and admirers of Jagdev Chand are feeling hurt by Narender8217;s decision. We will study the political impact, if any,8221; Jairam Thakur, state party president, said in his carefully-worded reaction.

Party insiders admit that since this development relates to the Chief Minister8217;s home district, possibilities of its fallout elsewhere in the state are not ruled out. This seems to have happened in the early days of the government. There are some other partymen, including sitting MLAs and office-bearers, who are not very comfortable with his working.

Most disgruntled MLAs or even seniors will not go on record to say so, but the fact remains that resentment is already brewing within a section of party, maybe because of a feeling of alienation. 8220;Right now, our target is to see that party wins the all four Lok Sabha seats and then we will discuss issues which need to be redressed,8221; a senior BJP MLA admitted to The Indian Express here.

He said, 8220;My telephone is ringing continuously. Most of the calls I received were from lower-rank workers, who are complaining of alienation. The reflection is surely on the leadership.8221;

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Narender Thakur, who had unsuccessfully contested the 1993 byelection from Hamirpur after his father8217;s death, has mainly attacked the Chief Minister, and more specifically, Anurag Thakur.

8220;I8217;m leaving a party which has come to power only nine months back. The party is not functioning in a democratic manner and family rule is being perpetuated brazenly. There are others like me who are ready to quit.8221;

Ironically, Narender Thakur8217;s sister-in-law wife of his elder brother, who is a government employee, Urmil Thakur is a sitting BJP legislator.