By L.S. Herdenia
BHOPAL: If reports published in the local newspapers provide any indication, there is a panic like situation in the state BJP. Blame game has started in the party. Among all local leaders the accusing finger is being raised against leader of opposition Gopal Bhargava. There is every possibility that a demand may be made for the removal of Bhargava. Bhargava was never considered to be a astute leader. Many in the BJP are still of the view that Bhargava is not a proper choice for the opposition leader at this crucial period. He is known for provocative utterances. Years back a woman Congress legislator hurled Chappal at him when he made some objectionable remark during the Vidhan Sabha proceedings.
Sources say the party may bring about some changes in its state organisation. Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan flew to New Delhi on Thursday afternoon. He was followed by BJP state chief Rakesh Singh at night. The BJP national leadership has instructed the state unit not to talk about “pulling down the Congress government” but to “seek an opportunity for action”.
Embarrassingly for BJP the shock voting by Tripathi and Kol had come just hours after Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava boasted that the Kamal Nath government “would last 24 hours if No. 1 and No. 2 in BJP give the order”. Bhargava was again caught on the wrong foot when he tried to tell reporters that the cross-voting wasn’t a big deal – unaware that Tripathi and Kol were sitting with CM Kamal Nath at a press meet at the very moment. Bhargava was not only stumped by the cross-voting but failed to contain the aftermath.
Congress leaders across the country raked up Bhargava’s statement to claim he was not aware what was happening behind his back. Bhargava’s boast could cost him dear, said sources in BJP.
The BJP central leadership has taken strong note of the cross voting and has asked for a report from the state unit. The national leadership wants details like how many BJP MLAs were present in the House then, who decided not to participate in voting, who all could be in touch with the disgruntled leaders, what should be done to convince the dissidents and differences, if any, among senior leaders. Plus, the big question: did the state leadership have any inkling that the two party MLAs would vote with Congress?
Rakesh Singh, who had rushed to Bhopal from New Delhi late Wednesday night, called a meeting to discuss the plan of action. State BJP leaders have briefed national working president JP Nadda and organising general secretary B Santosh about the assembly drama.
“The voting was not in favor of the government but to support a subject in the House. The Congress government is so much fearful of its internal differences that without any demand they decided for division of votes. A process, which was not supported by BJP and none of the members participated” Singh said denying that Tripathi and Kol’s actions would affect the party. Singh said “Congress made an unsuccessful attempt to check its internal differences. This will not affect BJP in any way. BJP was united, is united and will always remain united.”
“It’s unprecedented that lawmakers are forced to participate in a division for votes. Congress sponsored a race, participated alone and declared itself the winner”. Bhargava told media persons.
Sources in BJP said the party is unlikely to take any action on the duo as it may help them get the status of ‘unattached members’ of the house. “The leadership is trying to contact the two MLAs to convince them to return to the saffron fold. If they refuse, the party may suspend them or try to ensure that they are disqualified. Instructions from Delhi are awaited” said a senior BJP state functionary.
Meanwhile BJP MLAs Narendra Tripathi and Sharad Kol went incommunicado soon after voting with Congress in the assembly on Wednesday. Sources say they were in Bhopal all of Thursday and sticking to their stand of not going back to BJP at any cost. Tripathi, the MLA from Maihar constituency met Chief Minister Kamal Nath to decide on the next course of action. Tripathi was seen at a posh hotel but couldn’t be contacted after that.
Even Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava had no idea where they were. “I have not spoken to the two MLAs and am unaware of their whereabouts. But they are still with BJP and the party will consider all possibilities before taking any step” he told media.
Not only BJP central leadership, RSS also took a serious view of the happenings and hold the opinion that it was a total management failure of the state leaders. RSS too has sought report from state organisation about the issue. BJP state president Rakesh Singh after Chouhan’s meeting with RSS leaders went to RSS office on Thursday and had a discussion on the issue. RSS has clearly told BJP that the exit of BJP MLAs has sent a wrong message. BJP leaders have assured RSS that efforts are being made to bring the MLAs back to the BJP fold.
Congress on its part is claiming that a number of BJP legislators are in their contact. Among them are such legislators who had joined the BJP after quitting some other party.
Meanwhile Raghu Nandan Sharma, a former BJP member of Parliament has indirectly blamed former Chief Minister Shiv Raj Singh Chouhan for luring leaders of other parties to join the BJP and making them candidates by ignoring the claims of such party men who were part of the BJP for decades. Both Tripath and Kol belonged to that category.
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