Himachal BJP rebel Ramesh Dhawala too wades into party ‘infighting’, targets Jai Ram, JP Nadda over 2021 bypoll losses

Himachal BJP rebel Ramesh Dhawala too wades into party ‘infighting’, targets Jai Ram, JP Nadda over 2021 bypoll losses

Says submitted detailed three-page reply to show-cause notice issued to him by Bindal

Munish Sood
MANDI:
Former minister and senior OBC leader Ramesh Dhawala has submitted a detailed three-page reply to the show-cause notice issued to him by BJP state president Dr Rajeev Bindal.
In his response, Dhawala has made sharp remarks against the party’s top leadership, accusing them of neglect, favouritism and internal sabotage during the previous government’s tenure.


Dhawala, who won the 2017 Assembly election from Jawalamukhi, said that despite being a senior legislator and serving as Pro Tem Speaker, he was never given due respect or responsibility. “I told Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur that I did not want any post, only the development of my constituency. But even that was ignored,” he stated. He said he was later appointed Vice-Chairman of the Planning Board, but development in his area was “deliberately blocked”.


The former minister alleged that then BJP organisation secretary Pawan Rana continuously interfered in developmental works for five years. He also claimed that when the local BJP mandal was dissolved, he was not even consulted. “I brought this to the Chief Minister’s notice, but nothing was done,” he said.


Dhawala said that during Jai Ram Thakur’s visits to Jawalamukhi, no major announcements were made and even the few that were made were never implemented. He accused the party of planning his transfer from Jawalamukhi to Dehra just 20 days before the 2022 election, calling it a “deliberate political move to damage him politically”. “When national president JP Nadda asked about it, I said I would go, but at least give me six months’ time. Instead, the decision came suddenly,” he added.


Questioning the BJP’s poor performance under Jai Ram Thakur, Dhawala said, “If Jai Ram Thakur was the Chief Minister, then why did the BJP lose all four 2021 byelections — three Assembly and one Lok Sabha seat? Who was responsible for that?” He alleged that the government made enemies within its own ranks, which led to these defeats.


Responding to charges of indiscipline, Dhawala said, “Those who once abused the party are now being welcomed with open arms. I have never betrayed the BJP.” Adding a poetic touch, he said, “Fight with courage, but when we meet at the turn, don’t feel ashamed.”


Dhawala also said he plans to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon to present his side of the story, adding that he had already given his written reply to the party notice.


Taking a direct jibe at BJP national president JP Nadda, Dhawala remarked, “Now even Nadda ji has started wearing dark glasses,” implying that “senior leaders have become blind to the reality at the grassroots level”. He claimed that several senior leaders, including former minister Virender Kanwar and former MLA Narendra Thakur, along with around 15 loyal party workers, have suffered because of internal factionalism.


Reaffirming his loyalty, Dhawala reminded that in 1998, he had refused “crores of rupees and tempting offers” from the Congress to remain with the BJP. “But now, those who once criticized the party are getting preference, while the old loyal workers are being sidelined,” he said.


Dhawala’s strong response has once again highlighted the deepening rift within the Himachal BJP, signaling growing unrest among the party’s old guard ahead of the upcoming political season.

MUNISH SOOD

MUNISH SOOD

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