Under pressure from RSS, Thakre not to seek second term

Under pressure from RSS, Thakre not to seek second term
SHARAD GUPTA

NEW DELHI, JULY 21: BJP president Kushabhau Thakre's decision not to run for a second term seems to have been taken under pressure from the Rashtriya Swayamsevek Sangh (RSS) leadership which wants a complete overhaul of the party organisation.

Thakre is believed to have conveyed his decision to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Home Minister L K Advani and senior BJP vice-president Jana Krishnamurthy three days ago.

Though Thakre had announced his retirement on health grounds last year itself, he had reportedly changed his mind after his health improved following a surgery earlier this year.

However, the RSS top brass was not satisfied with Thakre's performance and is learnt to have told the BJP president last week that they wanted a new face to replace him, which could enthuse the cadre and improve the Government's image too.

The Sangh is yet to decide on the "formal election" of Thakre's successor on August 13, though in the absence of a contest, the new president could be elected after the last date of withdrawal of nominations on August 8.

Meanwhile, Advani on Thursday night announced that Thakre did not want to seek a second term because of his bad health and that his successor would be chosen through consensus.

On Thursday, however, Thakre said he was not going to quit politics. "I am still active and will remain so. I won't quit politics but will work for the party," he told The Indian Express. The outgoing BJP president said he was already 78 and his age did not allow him to keep contact with grass-root workers. "If I can't do justice to my duty, I should not remain on this post," he said, adding he was happy that the party had accepted his request to quit the presidentship.