The elevation as BJP president of Amit Shah, the saffron party notable credited with seeding the ground for his party’s impressive victory in the Lok Sabha election fought in Narendra Modi’s name, especially in Uttar Pradesh, is hardly a surprise, politically speaking.
For some time it has been as good as a done deal, if leaks from top party officials were anything to go by. Even so, Wednesday’s announcement was stunning. This is because Mr Shah remains a deeply controversial figure.
In Gujarat, he was widely seen as Mr Modi’s fixer when the latter was chief minister. Mr Shah was minister of state for home in the state and had to resign, for he had to be imprisoned in a fake encounter case. He was released on bail but asked by the Supreme Court to stay out of Gujarat.
The newly appointed BJP president is also alleged to be a key figure in the “Snoopgate” scandal. In the past, BJP presidents have been men — always men — with social standing.
Mr Shah had been promoted to BJP general secretary at Mr Modi’s behest to be his eyes and ears at party headquarters. He now appears to have been made party chief at the PM’s bidding.
Were Mr Modi not the Prime Minister, it is inconceivable Mr Shah would be made party president. This probably suggests his raising is intended to give his “master”, the present Prime Minister, control over the BJP organisation as well. That’s too much power in one person’s hands.
