BHOPAL: Amidst more protests against the BJP candidate from Khajuraho VD Sharma on Monday, local party leaders have asked the national president
Amit Shah to “reconsider” his name.
However, VD Sharma told TOI over phone , “Everything is under control and there is enthusiasm among the party workers to work for the BJP victory."
The protests started soon after the BJP declared the name of VD Sharma as the BJP candidate from Khajuraho, so far represented by Nagendra Singh, who hails from Satna.
Sanjay Nagaich, a prominent BJP leader from Panna, part of Khajuraho seat, said, “ the outsider factor is dominating here and we have asked the party leadership to reconsider his candidature.”
He claimed, “ it is very difficult to convince the people and the local workers and the moment they learn that VD Sharma belongs to Chambal region, they start protest.”
He said that Khajuraho people suffered last time as Nagendra Singh also belonged to Satna. He said that the party had made commitment to him to give ticket for the Lok Sabha elections but denied at the last moment.
Amidst protests, on Tuesday, Sharma held meeting of party workers in Panna. Talking to TOI, he said, “ all those who have been protesting belong to the BJP family and many of them have worked with me. Now they have given up the opposition and have decided to work for the party.”
Large number of protests took place on Tuesday in Panna and Chattarpur where his effigies were burnt and posters were displayed with “ VD Sharma vapis jao “ written on it.
Virendra Khatiq , the party candidate from the neighbouring Tikamgarh also faces similar problem.
“In fact, he is banking heavily on PM Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah’s campaigns beginning later this week”, party sources said.
A senior BJP leader who had contested Rajya Sabha election has also lodged complaint with Ramlal , organisational general secretary about the issue of outsiders in Bundelkhand.”