BJP's new guard

Fresh faces expected in Gadkari's team as the BJP is poised to complete a generational shift

The new captain is ready to usher in a new team. And youngsters could make it to BJP President Nitin Gadkari's playing squad; youngsters like Varun Gandhi, who it seems has the blessings of the RSS.

"A section of RSS leaders from UP is backing Varun either for the post of party's UP state president or for the president of national youth wing. Varun too is interested in getting either of the two posts," said a senior BJP leader, requesting anonymity.

The supporters of Varun believe that the 'Gandhi' surname has charisma and can be used as a mascot to attract the youth in support of the BJP. However, according to party sources, Varun might be included only in the list of secretaries. "Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur may get the nod to lead the party's youth wing, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha," said a senior party leader.u00a0u00a0

There is a lot of pressure on Nitin Gadkari, who is getting ready to announce his team. "He has to keep Advani happy by accommodating his loyalists and at the same time his list should have the image of the RSS imprint," said a leader. Sources say the group will be a blend of youth and experience, with several new faces likely to be inducted into the team of office-bearers.

While incumbent general secretaries Ram Lal, Ananth Kumar and Thawar Chand Gehlot are certain to be retained, the remaining slots are likely to be filled up by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Ravi Shankar Prasad, former Union minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, Arjun Munda and Dharmendra Pradhan.

Delhi MLA Dr Harshvardhan and Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu are also likely to figure in Gadkari's team of office-bearers. Senior BJP leader from Delhi Jagdish Mukhi's name is also doing the rounds for being inducted into the team.