Unhappy Yogi resigns from BJP panel

Sources close to Yogi said he had submitted a list of 32 candidates from Gorakhpur and Basti division to party president Rajnath Singh. But none of his men have been included in the first list released by the party on Wednesday.

In New Delhi, party sources said Yogi, who had earlier this week broken down in the Lok Sabha alleging that the Mulayam Singh Yadav government was targeting him, had not been brought around and had even threatened to resign his Lok Sabha seat. Party president Rajnath Singh has now deputed Vinay Katiyar and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to talk to Adityanath. There are reports that the MP is in contact with Bharatiya Janashakti Party leader Uma Bharati.

The high command has already allotted Bhatpar Rani and Deoria to allies JD(U) and Apna Dal. Yogi has been told that his men will be accommodated in the remaining eight seats. But Yogi apparently wanted all his 32 candidates to be given tickets.

Talking to The Indian Express, Yogi’s spiritual guru and former BJP MP Avaidyanath said: “The party has failed to recognise Yogi’s importance in eastern UP. He is the undisputed leader of the area. Our concern is to improve the party tally. It is obvious that he wants tickets for those who have a mass base. But the party seems disinterested in winning candidates.”

Yogi’s resentment has been brewing for some time. The MP had stayed away from the BJP national executive in Lucknow last December and organised a Vishwa Hindu Sammelan in Gorakhpur during the same time. He also remained absent from the VHP’s Hindu convention at the Ardha Kumbh in January. He later alleged that the BJP leadership had ignored Hindus during the Gorakhpur riots in February.

Rajnath’s son no to polls

The BJP is now trying to find a new candidate for the Chiriya Assembly constituency to which it had on Wednesday announced the name of Pankaj Singh, son of the party president Rajnath Singh. Soon after his nomination, Pankaj had announced that he would not contest. Party sources said Pankaj was not averse to getting the party ticket for Chiriya and had even approached top party leaders from Uttar Pradesh regarding his nomination, but had backed down when it became apparent that he would embarrass his father if he contested.