Sinha to challenge Gadkari for BJP president post

Even though Gadkari was set to get the second three-year term, Sinha created a flutter when he procured a nomination form and voters' list from Chief Electoral Officer, Thawar Chand Gehlot this evening.

The entry of Sinha, former External and Finance Minister, in the electoral fray ensures that the election does not go unopposed.

The move by Sinha, who had earlier demanded Gadkari's resignation in the wake of allegations of impropriety by his firm, forced top BJP leaders like Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, M Venkaiah Naidu and RSS representative Ram Lal into a huddle to deliberate on the evolving situation.

Party leader L K Advani was already said to be opposed to re-election of Gadkari, whose candidature is being strongly pushed by RSS.

Gadkari, who is to file nomination papers tomorrow, shared dais with Advani at a party programme in Utan in Maharashtra but the two were not seen exchanging any word, reflecting apparent cold vibes.

Gehlot said Sinha is the only person to have taken the form from him till now. However, he hastened to add that the forms are easily available on the party website and state headquarters of the BJP.

Earlier in the day, Mahesh Jethmalani said he is being denied a nomination form to prevent him from contesting.

A candidate for the BJP Presidential poll should have been an active member of the party for 12 consecutive years and an ordinary member for 15 years. He would also need atleast 20 proposers each from five different state units, which adds upto 100.

While Mahesh Jethmalani fails to qualify, Sinha is unlikely to get 100 proposers from five states.