Madhav discusses MLC poll strategy

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 6: BJP national general secretary and incharge J&K, Ram Madhav reached here this afternoon to hold close door meetings with senior Party functionaries,  Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh and top RSS leaders of the State.
According to sources, Madhav’s sudden visit was in connection with April 17 Legislative Council elections. He discussed the party’s strategy for the elections to Legislative Council in which Party candidate Vikram Randhawa is facing a tough contest with Congress candidate Balbir Singh.
Sources said soon after his arrival here, Madhav held the close door meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, BJP State president Sat Sharma, Party general secretary (Org) Ashok Kaul at Guest House. Though the agenda of the meeting was a secret, sources said the Party’s strategy to be evolved in April 17 Legislative Council elections was the main issue in the meeting and Madhav had specially come here to discuss the same with State leadership of the Party.
Sources said Party has support of 28 MLAs including 26 of BJP and two of People’s Conference while for victory it needs support of 30 MLAs. The Congress has support of 27 MLAs and it too needs 30 MLAs for victory, sources added.
The three Independent MLAs one from Jammu and two from Kashmir valley besides the lone CPI (M) Legislator hold key to the LC elections and they can tilt the balance to any side either by casting their vote or abstaining from voting.
Sources said Madhav later visited Veer Bhawan, the RSS headquarters of the State to hold talks with Prant Pracharak Ramesh Pappa and other senior functionaries of the Sangh on the prevailing political scenario in the State and other related issues.