The Hindu : BJP presidential election by February

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2004

National

National

BJP presidential election by February

By Neena Vyas

HYDERABAD, JAN. 12. The Bharatiya Janata Party's presidential polls are to be held by February and there is no doubt that the party president, Venkaiah Naidu, will be elected for a full three-year term. Apparently, there was a reference to the party's ongoing organisational elections today at the national executive committee meeting here. With the party already in election mode, should the completion of organisational elections take a back seat?

That was the question in the minds of some, but the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, himself clarified.

With the party's organisational elections completed in more than 20 State units, there was no need to wait any longer.

He said the national presidential poll should be completed by February, well ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The Prime Minister paid a handsome compliment to Mr. Naidu. "Mein unhe kahin bhagne nahin doonga.'' "I will not allow him to run away (from his responsibilities),'' Mr. Vajpayee said, adding that Mr. Naidu would once again be elected. Mr. Naidu had "so much energy'' that he made those who were tired feel less so.

When Mr. Naidu was asked by reporters about the compliments paid to him by the Prime Minister, he just smiled, adding that "the entire party lauded and appreciated Mr. Vajpayee's leadership.''

The party constitution allows a national president, or a State unit president, to be elected for only one three-year term.

He cannot be re-elected for a second consecutive tenure, but can get the position after a gap. In Mr. Naidu's case, his current tenure started after the former party president, Jana Krishnamurthy, stepped down. That does not disqualify him from being elected for a full three-year tenure.

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