With a ‘mahabandh’ being called on Thursday by various Gurjjar organisations and the BSP announcing support for the same, the Rajasthan Government’s focus is on keeping things under control.The Raje Government’s first priority and strategy to counter the mahabandh will be to ensure that the day passes off peacefully. Raje has been facing criticism for her handling of the Gurjjar agitation with voices like those of BJP Rajya Sabha member Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi saying that people in power could have been more “accomodative” in their approach to the whole issue. Dissident factions in the Rajasthan BJP have been raising the same points. With the Centre also threatening Raje with President’s rule, the pressure is on her. Meanwhile, attempts are on to contact and tap Gurjjars other than Kirori Singh Bainsla who is currently holding fort as the leader of the agitation at Bayana. Cynical calculations in the BJP point out that even if the Gurjjars do get antagonised, the Meenas would come en bloc to the BJP camp and join the Rajputs, Jats and Brahmins. Against such calculations, the BSP has openly supported the bandh and the cause of the Gurjjars looking at creating a third force with the combined strength of Gurjjars, Brahmins and Dalits.While the BJP has yet to spell out a clear-cut and broad-based policy on reservations, the foremost concern for the party leadership is to ensure that Thursday goes off peacefully.Meanwhile, in view of the rail and rasta roko called by Gurjjars in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Thursday, the Centre issued advisory to the governments of Delhi and its adjoining states asking them to keep utmost vigil and take preventive measures to keep the situation under control.A Home Ministry spokesman said state governments had been told to maintain close liaison and coordination with the police and district administrations of areas bordering Delhi and keep a close watch on anti-social elements.Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta spoke to police chiefs and other senior officials of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and also with the Commissioner of Police of Delhi.
