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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, JULY 20: BJP president Kushabhau Thakre8217;s decision not to run for a second term seems to have been taken under pressure from the RSS leadership which wants a complete overhaul of the party organisation.
Thakre is believed to have conveyed his decision to Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, Home Minister L.K. Advani and senior BJP vice-president Jana Krishnamurthy three days ago.
Though Thakre had announced his retirement on health grounds last year itself, he had reportedly changed his mind after his health improved following a surgery earlier this year.
However, the RSS top brass was not satisfied with Thakre8217;s performance and is learnt to have told the BJP president last week that they wanted a new face to replace him, which could enthuse the cadre and improve the Government8217;s image too.
The Sangh is yet to decide on the 8220;formal election8221; of Thakre8217;s successor on August 13, though in the absence of a contest, the new president could be elected after the last date of withdrawal of nominations on August 8.
A section of BJP leaders felt that the mantle of leading the party could once again fall on Advani.
But Advani is an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case and may have to appear before the special CBI court for framing of charges in Lucknow on September 15. Since it will not be proper for him to appear while serving as Union Home Minister, Advani is likely to resign from the Cabinet and take up party presidentship next month, party sources said.
Jana Krishnamurthy too is one of the favourites tipped to succeed Thakre, though a section of party leaders favour Gujarat Governor Sunder Singh Bhandari 8212; also a senior BJP leader. Bhandari has been propped up by the RSS and some top BJP leaders though he is not on the best of terms with Vajpayee. Sources added that both Krishnamurthy and Bhandari are very close to Advani.
Meanwhile, Advani last night announced that Thakre did not want to seek a second term because of his bad health and that his successor would be chosen through consensus.
Today, however, Thakre said he was not going to quit politics. 8220;I am still active and will remain so. I won8217;t quit politics but will work for the party,8221; he told The Indian Express. The outgoing BJP president said he was already 78 and his age did not allow him to keep contact with grass-root workers. 8220;If I can8217;t do justice to my duty, I should not remain on this post,8221; he said, adding he was happy that the party had accepted his request to quit the presidentship.
