Delhi BJP to create 19 departments, 10 cells for smooth functioning

To streamline its functioning and further expansion, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi has decided to set up 19 new departments and 10 cells. These new divisions will be headed by former MLAs, councillors and office bearers who could not be accommodated during formation of the new state team in January.

The proposed departments are good governance, training, policy research, political feedback, party journal and publications, coordination-disaster relief, and media relations. Apart from these, 10 new cells such as swachhta abhiyan, national membership, and district office modernization will be formed to achieve short terms goals.

State unit chief Manoj Tiwari had a consultation with the central leadership on Monday evening to pick the names. The new teams are likely to be announced on Tuesday.

A party insider said the move assumes significance considering the possible bypolls on 21 assembly seats where Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs are facing prospects of disqualification due to their appointment as parliamentary secretaries.

“The party will use experience and expertise of senior members. A few of them are ex MLAs or councillors and former state or district functionaries, who were earlier sidelined. The state leadership is of the opinion that their understanding of state politics should be utilised to build a strategy for assembly elections,” he said.

Following the instructions of Tiwari, around 60 such leaders were identified. Tiwari has already had a meeting with them last week and invited them to work to strengthen the outfit.

The leaders, who are likely to be given the responsibility are former MLAs — Rajesh Gehlot, Vijay Jolly, and Kulwant Rana; former mayors — Kanwar Sain, Rajni Abbi, Sarita Chaudhary , Meera Agarwal; former general secretaries of Delhi BJP — Rekha Gupta and Aashish Sood. Sood was also the Leader of House in South Delhi Municipal Corporation. Savita Gupta and Harsh Malhotra, who were mayors of SDMC and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), respectively, along with Virendra Sachdeva, former district president, Mayur Vihar, may be accommodated in the new set up.

“They will work like eyes and ears of the state leadership and will directly report to party president Manoj Tiwari. Each department and cell will have a convener and co-convener along with three members,” said a source privy to the development.

It was further stated that no members of existing team of office bearers will be nominated to any of these new divisions. “The sections have been proposed with specific targets like good governance team will serve as important link between local administration and the central government,” said a party functionary.

However, the decision is being touted as an attempt to send a message to state leaders whose functioning is under scanner. “In a way, this will dilute power of existing officer bearers,” he said.