A Mesco five-seater Ecureuil AS-350 helicopter has become the bone of contention between the BJP top brass and its mercurial Uttar Pradesh chief, Vinay Katiyar. While the BJP wants him to share it with other leaders, Katiyar wants the chopper exclusively for his tours across the state.A fortnight ago, the BJP made available a helicopter to ferry Katiyar for the campaign. Partymen say the state BJP chief has since become so possessive about the chopper that he refuses to part with it even for senior leaders.‘‘Katiyar refused to make the helicopter available for even Health Minister Sushma Swaraj for her election tour of the state and we were forced to alter her programme,’’ a BJP member said. ‘‘He claimed that he also had to tour around, but there is no demand for his public meetings. On the other hand, we are not able to finalise programmes of those whose are in public demand.’’Not even BJP general secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, with his persuasive ways, could bring around Katiyar. Besides, Katiyar’s temper has made leaders wary. That includes Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and UP incharge Pramod Mahajan.‘‘We have had a helicopter for nearly a fortnight, which state leaders like me, Kalyan Singh, Rajnath Singh and Kalraj Mishra share,’’ Katiyar told The Indian Express from Kheri. ‘‘I have told our people at the headquarters to send leaders from the Centre only after arranging for planes and helicopters at Delhi.’’ On April 22, Pramod Mahajan used the same helicopter as did Kalraj Mishra at an earlier date, he added.Party sources said the BJP has three helicopters and a small aircraft in UP. Of these, one helicopter is with Katiyar and another with Mahajan. Other state leaders share the third helicopter with visiting Central leaders.The party might, however, soon show Katiyar who’s boss. With time running out on the election campaign in UP, the top brass is likely to bypass Katiyar and take control of the chopper through the lending company.
