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Journalism of Courage
LUCKNOW, OCT 5: A majority of the total 175 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs have taken strong objection to the proposal of forming a State coordination committee to monitor functioning of the 15-day old Kalyan Singh Government.
Senior BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee had told newsmen on Friday that the party was considering formation of a State-level committee to sort out differences between the coalition partners. The veteran party leader while admitting that there were differences and a “communication gap” between the coalition partners, said such a move would help solve issues at the State-level.
The BJP legislators, especially those close to the Chief Minister, had taken strong objection to the idea and are collecting signatures of their colleagues which will be sent to party president L K Advani before October 12. Top BJP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders, including Kalyan Singh and Mayawati, are scheduled to meet in New Delhi on October 12 to “sort out” differences between the coalition partners.
BJP leaders pointed out that such a committee would only put pressure on Kalyan Singh. They said during the six-month tenure of Mayawati no need was felt for such a committee and even the national steering committee, which was formed to monitor functioning of the coalition government, did not meet even once during the period.
They pointed out that during her tenure, Mayawati had taken a number of controversial decisions like forming of new districts and changing names of many.
“We never raised hue and cry. Why are they demanding a State-level committee now?” asked a senior leader.
The legislators also apprehend that during his days in power so far Kalyan Singh has successfully won confidence of the upper castes who were getting alienated owing to misuse of SC/ST Act. But with State-level committee, the section would again get distanced with the saffron party, the felt.
In fact, a majority of legislators are in no mood now to remain in the government with hands-me-down position and have decided to take the bull by its horn. They are also unhappy with the Central leadership and term their attitude with the BSP as a “capitulation” to wishes of the Dalit party.
“She had transferred nearly 1,800 officials during her six-month rule, but now the BSP leaders have raised objection to recent transfers effected by Kalyan Singh,” said a senior BJP leader.
