With Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari embroiled in a host of controversies, the return of former chief minister Kalyan Singh to the BJP fold seems to have been further delayed.
According to sources close to the former chief minister, it had been decided earlier that Mr Kalyan Singh would have a final meeting with Mr Gadkari in Delhi around Dusshera and the BJP president would announce his return to the party fold at a grand event that would be preceded by the customary press conference.
“It was decided that Mr Kalyan Singh’s return should have a national impact and also dispel doubts of factionalism by ensuring the presence of top party leaders, including Mr Rajnath Singh, at the event,” said a source lose to the veteran leader.
However, around the time when Mr Kalyan Singh was set to return to the BJP, Mr Gadkari found himself embroiled in a series of controversies, triggered off by Indian against Corruption (IAC) activist Arvind Kejriwal.
“Since the controversy began, Mr Gadkari has found not time for party affairs. His priority is to clear his name first and all his waking hours are spent in this. Once he gets a clean chit for himself, only then will he focus his attention on Mr Kalyan Singh’s return,” said a BJP functionary.
Meanwhile, the delay in Mr Kalyan Singh’s homecoming has dampened the spirits of his supporters who had made all arrangements for a celebration in this festive season.
“Queries had started pouring in from all parts of the state because people wanted to remain present when Mr Kalyan Singh announces his return to the Bharatiya Janata Party. As of now, we are not in a position to confirm the possible date of his return though we know that all modalities have been worked out in this regard,” said one of his supporters.
Mr Kalyan Singh, meanwhile, is in Aligarh waiting for a call from the BJP president — a call that will help him write a new chapter in his political career.