India votes in 2024; the BJP allays rumors by fielding Anita Som Prakash of Hoshiarpur
The BJP unveiled the names of its three candidates from Punjab on Tuesday, ending the many days of uncertainty in Hoshiarpur over its Lok Sabha candidate. Anita Som Prakash was the party’s nominee from Hoshiarpur.
Anita Som Prakash, the spouse of Hoshiarpur MP and Union Minister of State Som Prakash, has a lengthy history of involvement with social organizations despite having a brief political career, according to her biodata. These include organizations that provide social services, such Janata Di Rasoi, Helping Hand Organization, and Sehat Suvidha Sanstha.
Divergent responses
With Anita Som Prakash receiving the ticket, there is joy in one section of the BJP while other groups remain silent. A few higher-ranking employees voiced their complaints on social media. On Facebook, a senior employee wrote, “Samajh ton Pare, Rabb hi Rakha” (Beyond comprehension, only God can rescue), and other users shared their disapproval. Anita Som Prakash was congratulated, but leaders and workers of the Tikshan Sood-led faction—who are seen as close to Som Prakash—also claimed to have won the seat by a wide majority.
Hope for veterans
Vijay Sampla, a former MP and Union Minister of State, and Som Prakash’s spouse were vying for a Hoshiarpur BJP ticket. In addition to Joginder Singh Chhina, the Aam Aadmi Party’s Assembly candidate from Dinanagar in 2017, other candidates included a lady academician and a former DGP. Chhina had previously defected from the AAP and joined the BJP before to the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll in 2017.
Other local leaders had also filed for and lined up for the ticket in addition to these. Despite the fact that his wife received the ticket this time, the party once again showed confidence in Som Prakash, the current member of the Lok Sabha, among the many candidates. It is said that Som Prakash’s deteriorating health was starting to prevent him from receiving the ticket, which is why Anita Som Prakash was selected.
One issue with factionalism
Even though Anita Som Prakash won the ticket contest, she would undoubtedly have challenges in overcoming the BJP’s internal factionalism in the Hoshiarpur unit. The BJP has long had factions headed by Vijay Sampla, Avinash Rai Khanna, and Tikshan Sood; their relationships have also long been a topic of debate. Separate factionalism of a new kind is occurring in the background of district BJP president Nipun Sharma’s attempts to operate impartially and avoid being caught in factionalism. It is common knowledge that Som Prakash is closely associated with the Tikshan Sood camp, but it is also no secret that he is absent from other factions’ programming.
Anger among certain BJP employees and supporters about Som Prakash’s perceived insufficient attendance in his district may potentially turn into a problem. Oldtimers, who were generally seen as voters and BJP supporters and who have been linked with the party from the Jan Sangh days, in particular, don’t appear to be in a good mood. There seems to be an undertone among employees.
It will be very difficult to contain the factionalism in all of these situations before it explodes. Additionally, it will be very difficult to persuade leaders and irate employees to join. Leaders who seem united from the outside but are divided within will have to overcome internal infighting.
