Why Union Minister Anurag Thakur Is Trending After BJP's Himachal Loss
NDTV
Anurag Thakur was seen as heading one of three factions in Himachal, the other two loyal to JP Nadda and Jairam Thakur
After the BJP lost power in Himachal Pradesh to the Congress — somewhat souring its mega win in Gujarat — Union Minister Anurag Thakur, who is MP from the hill state, came under fire on social media from BJP supporters blaming him for the party's infighting. In a head to head contest, in Nadda's state, in Anurag Thakur's state, against the might of the BJP's money, media and institutions, Priyanka Gandhi has defeated Modi. Choice of candidates by JP Nadia & Anurag Thakur is questionableIf a rebel is winning means the rebel was right candidateAlso the home state of BJP Chief Nadda? Any effects of that?Look at the effect of Narendra Modi on his Home State GujaratIf BJP means business then act I am presuming C. R. PATIL new BJP president on card. Great leader with thumping majority in Gujarat. Anurag Thakur should be sacked from BJP for family politics over and above party lines.
Congress workers also jumped in on the trend, gloating, as did observers who sought to put the BJP loss into a wider context.
Himachal, home state of BJP national president JP Nadda, saw BJP rebels in at least 21 of the 68 constituencies. Only two of them won, but others got significant votes that may ideally have gone to the BJP.
Overall, three-way factionalism was seen at play: Anurag Thakur and JP Nadda leading a faction each, and third one was loyal to Chief Minister Jairam Thakur.