Veteran BJP leaders Ramesh Bais, Sai out of BJP core group in Chhattisgarh

Senior Correspondent

NewsBits.in

RAIPUR: Two veteran leaders--Ramesh Bais and Nand Kumar Sai are out of the BJP's core group.

This is a major decision as Bais and Sai are both tall leaders of the BJP in the State.

This is for the first time after Chhattisgarh was formed in the year 2000 that neither of these leades would be part of the party organisation's policy framing group.

Bais, who has been member of parliament (MP) for seven terms, didn't get a place in Union ministry. Sai, who has been BJP chief in the state and also leader of opposition in the past, was also expected to get Rajya Sabha ticket but at the last minute the decision was changed and he was left high and dry.

It is learnt that the decision to cut the two leaders to size was taken by the party leadership. The central leaders were not happy with these veteran leaders' open criticism and their outspokenness over the party issues, say sources. "Sai and Bais are senior leaders who are part of an earlier generation. Also, they were more close to LK Advani", said a BJP leader.

However, clipping the wings of these leaders can affect the party prospects. Sai has strong following among the tribal populace. But the new generation of party leaders aren't exactly comfortable with his style of politics. The core group would meet party chief Amit Shah in the next week.