Appointed observer, Shah to oversee ‘smooth transition’ of power in state

The anointment of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP’s chief poll strategist, as the central observer for the legislature party meeting to select Haryana’s next Chief Minister on October 16 has shifted focus on the politically significant tiny state sandwiched between Opposition AAP-ruled Punjab and Delhi.

Owe hat-trick to Shah, Modi

The appointment of Amit Shah as central observer for the BJP legislature party meeting in Haryana is a proud moment for the saffron party. Incredible hat-trick in Haryana is the result of the election strategy devised by Shah under Modi’s leadership. — Mohan Lal Badoli, BJP Chief

Why Shah as central observer

• To effect smooth transition of power in Haryana
• Showcase his poll management skills in Haryana victory in upcoming poll in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Delhi
• Nip Rao Inderjit’s ‘rebellion’ rumours in the bud
• Send a clear message to detractors within and outside party

Shah’s uncanny interest in the election of the BJP legislature party leader, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi declaring Nayab Singh Saini as the CM face of the saffron party in the run-up to the October 5 Assembly poll, is seen as an attempt at smooth transition of power to a “comparatively junior” Saini.

The saffron party nominated Shah and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav as party observers yesterday, hours after rumours of “rebellion” by Union minister Rao Inderjit Singh and his nine Ahirwal loyalist MLAs surfaced in a section of media. Rao Inderjit was quick to dismiss the rumours as “baseless”, claiming that they were “solidly” behind the BJP.

Though Shah was the first to declare Saini as the CM face of the party at a public meeting in Panchkula on June 29, senior leaders Rao Inderjit and Anil Vij expressed their chief-ministerial ambitions publicly owing to their “seniority”, and keeping the party leadership on tenterhooks. The Opposition, including the Congress, exploited this “confusion” ahead of the October 5 Assembly poll.

A senior leader told The Tribune that though there was no substance in these rumours, an element of doubt was sought to be created inside and outside the party, especially among its 48 party MLAs. “The nomination of Shah as party observer went a long way in nipping these doubts in the bud,” he said, adding that it had sent the right message at the right time.

Both Rao Inderjit and Vij seemed to have “fallen in line” after the poll results. The duo, who had pitched themselves for the top position between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, have suddenly gone mum on the issue, apparently after the high command’s intervention.

Since the party’s campaign for Haryana was planned and executed by Shah through his trusted lieutenants, the leader said Shah wanted nothing to be left to chance in government formation. The splendid hat-trick in Haryana would set the tone for the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Delhi, and Shah — as the chief poll strategist — would try to replicate Haryana’s success model in other states, he said.