Indore, Feb. 17: The BJP’s extravaganza and eco-friendly arrangements to house leaders and functionaries on 90 acres of land is facing flak from virtually all corners. The party has spent over Rs 30 crores putting up air-conditioned tents with proper facilities in an eco-friendly ambience.
While on one hand the Congress has launched a scathing attack on the BJP over the jamboree, on the other some of the top BJP leaders have started abandoning the venue in search of greater comfort. Leaders like Mr Rajnath Singh, Mr Varun Gandhi and Ms Maneka Gandhi have left their tents for hotels. The leaders complained of water scarcity and uncomfortable beds. Incidentally, the party has spent over Rs 2 crores on water facilities.
The top BJP leadership is also facing criticism over expenses from within. That the BJP was all set to spent Rs 30 crores on its three-day national executive had first appeared in this newspaper on February 15.
Some BJP leaders have questioned the amount spent on this three-day meet. The issue came up for discussion on the first day of the national executive on Wednesday. Sources in the party said the issue was raised by a section of Madhya Pradesh leaders. This particular section virtually demanded an explanation to why the party had to spend such an "exorbitant amount" to set up over 1,000 tents and provide other facilities on 90 acres of land. They felt accommodation in hotels or guest houses would have been "cheaper" and that such "wasteful expenditure" could "dent" the image of the BJP.
However, the other section defended the move and said this was an attempt to "bring the leaders and cadres together". It was also argued that keeping them within 90 acres would also make interaction between leaders and functionaries "easier".
YOJNA GUSAI