THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP has reasons to worry over the signals being sent by the BDJS leaders that the saffron party will be a loser in the Chengannur by-election due to the indifference being shown to the NDA allies by the national leadership. Though the central BJP leaders had promised to accommodate the BDJS and other partners in various boards, they have so far drawn a blank as far as posts are concerned. SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan and BDJS national president Tushar Vellapally have claimed that the NDA's vote share will go down in Chengannur.
So far Tushar had been taking a 'diplomatic' stand towards the BJP though Mr Vellappaly has gone on the offensive. But on Monday, Tushar made it clear that the NDA was not on a strong wicket in Chengannur. This has alarmed the BJP state leadership, especially since Congress candidate D. Vijayakumar may take away a large chunk of Hindu votes as he is the national vice-president of Akhil Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham. "We are also trying to get the minority votes in Chengannur apart from Hindu votes," said a top BJP leader.
BJP state president and NDA convener Kummanam Rajasekharan and co-convener P. K. Krishnadas have not reacted to Vellappally's attacks as national president Amit Shah had promised to consider the demands of the BDJS and other allies at the appropriate time. "Amit Shah promised that the demands of the allies would be met. We do not know what is causing the delay," added the leader.
Earlier, it was alleged that B.L. Santhosh, joint national general secretary (organising), had not seriously taken up the demands before the central leadership. The BDJS has called a meeting of its office-bearers in Alappuzha on Wednesday to take stock of the situation. Tushar had told DC the other day that they will not leave the NDA at this juncture.
