The Bharatiya Janata Party has officially designated Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Vijay Sharma as a central observer, placing him at the helm of a critical Rajya Sabha battle in Bihar.
The BJP does not roll dice with its heavy weights.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has been given one of the biggest responsibilities in an effort to emphasize his increasing stature in the national hierarchy of the party. He has also become a Central Observer in the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar.
It is not a mediocre administrative duty and the announcement, approved by BJP leadership. It is a clear indication that the party sees Sharma as a closer–someone who would help get the numbers to add at the time things are at the worst.
Union minister Harsh Malhotra accompanies Sharma and this gives birth to formidable duo that are supposed to oversee the bi annual elections of five seats in Bihar. The Bihar political scene is infamously changing, but the BJP has placed its bet on Sharma to ensure that his ducks are in line.
Nitin Nabin, National President, did not have far to go to find a firm hand.
The timing is tight. The polling will be held on March 16 and counting will be done on the same evening. There is zero room for error.
Bihar is an important constituent of that equation as the BJP is now seeking to establish its presence in the Upper House. There are five positions that are available and no vote in the state assembly is a luxury.
The viewers do not just go to watch; they go to control. Sharma will also have the role of organizing with the local legislators, party discipline, and negotiating the complicated alliances that confuse the power corridors of Patna.
Will he be temperate enough to do it?
His colleagues say yes. He has built a reputation of being a quiet operator- a person who manages to get the job done without having to use a megaphone.
However, it is not only about Bihar.
To Sharma, this is a confirmation of his success in Chhattisgarh. After coming to power, he has been the figure in the violent campaign against Maoism in the state and a mastermind behind the rebirth of the BJP on the ground.
The party is aware that he is not afraid of the grind.
The appointment of Sharma also underscores the BJP policy of cross-pollinating its leaders at regional level. The party involves a Chhattisgarh heavyweight into Bihar, which creates a more unified national structure of skilled personnel.
It’s a “win-win” for the Deputy CM.
In case the mission is successful, his share in the central leadership will be catapulted. He has already been dealing with the Home and Panchayat portfolios in a firm hand; now, he is demonstrating that he can perform in the nationwide arena as well.
It is already being named as a moment of pride by the local leaders in Raipur.
One party insider said that it was an indication that the work we are doing in Chhattisgarh is recognized at the very top. And they aren’t wrong.
However, the path to March 16 is full of political landmines. Bihar is now a fertile ground of speculations more so with the maneuvers of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Will Sharma be able to keep the interests of the BJP safe in such a hot environment?
He has already gotten off on the ground, briefings and strategy sessions.
Undoubtedly the Deputy CM is prepared to exchange his office in the administration building with the war room.
The national leadership has now turned the focus of its eyes on him.
The way he performs in Bihar will probably be the determinant of the number of other large duties he gets in future.
At this point, Vijay Sharma is the plan man and the BJP trusts that he will not be a beat around the bushes.
The end of the deadline is to be expected!
