New Delhi: The BJP's highest decision-making body is in an organisation revamp and has added Maharashtra leader Devendra Fadnavis and Karnataka leader BS Yediyurappa. On the other hand, union minister Nitin Gadkari was dropped and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath was excluded.
Adityanath was expected to be rewarded for the record re-election in the state. The parliamentary board is the top body in the party and decides chief ministers, state chiefs, and other key roles. The Uttar Pradesh CM was expected to get a seat at the decision-making table.
Gadkari's exclusion has also shocked many because he is one of the most senior ministers of the Modi government. The former BJP chief expected to have a say in the decision-making process as per tradition. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has been on the chair for two decades, was also dropped, reported NDTV.
Yediyurappa was troubled with allegations of corruption last year. He was forced to give up the seat of Chief Minister. Despite being 77 years old, the influential politician has made it to the top ranks. Some speculate that the party wanted to make him happy. The top body has an unofficial age bar of 75.
Former BJP chief and defence minister Rajnath Singh has also been added to the parliamentary board. Former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has been named to the parliamentary board as well as the Central Election Committee.
PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP chief JP Nadda remained in their roles in the top body.