BJP unit of Rajasthan is now a one-woman show: Rebel MLA Ghanshyam Tiwari

Tiwari, a known face in the state, was a close aide of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. He has formed a new party called 'Bharat Vahini'

Tarun Sharma

November 12, 2018 / 19:10 IST

Source: Facebook

Ghanshyam Tiwari, a six-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan, resigned in June and formed 'Bharat Vahini’.

Tiwari, a known face in the state, was a close aide of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. In an interaction with Moneycontrol, he alleged that the state unit of BJP, and particularly Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, created conditions that led to his exit and consequent formation of a new party.

Q. Why did a six-time BJP MLA, one who won with the highest margin of votes in the last assembly election, form a new party and is now contesting against the BJP?

A. The answer to this question should be given by BJP itself. I worked with dedication for so many years. However, the state unit has now become a one-woman party and scope of internal democracy has disappeared. I had even mentioned in public meetings before forming the party that if the BJP contests election on the name of the same chief minister, I will not be a part of it.

Q. BJP National President Amit Shah told party workers not go by any individual name. They should instead seek votes in the name of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What, then, is the issue?

A. This is not true. Amit Shah, on one hand, says Vasundhara Raje has “Angad foot”, synonymous of a stronghold. On the other hand, he is telling party workers to not seek votes for any individual names. Shah is trying to fool to every one, but that is not possible now. Voters are educated and know things courtesy the media.

Also Read: Will a third front be able to oust BJP and Congress from the state?Q. Do you think there is any scope for the third front in Rajasthan?

A. There is always a scope for the third front in Rajasthan. Current conditions are, in fact, more suitable for it. People of Rajasthan are fed up with the current government and Congress did not act properly as the opposition party. It is also battling infighting.