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Journalism of Courage
The BJP in UP is in jitters as SP trouble-shooter Amar Singh arrived here today to reportedly help topple the government. It has pressed Rajnath Singh into action after party rebels refused to back down.
SP general-secretary Amar Singh showed he meant business when he met Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, the leader of the Independents. A number of Independent MLAs and a dozen rebel BJP counterparts too were there.
Amar Singh, however, said little to the press. ‘‘I have come here to attend the birthday of his (Raja Bhaiya’s) daughter,’’ he said. ‘‘This government will sink automatically.’’ He said toppling the government was not on the agenda. ‘‘But yes, I want formation of a government.’’
Independent MLAs will meet tomorrow to decide their next action. Raja Bhaiya said: ‘‘We will take a decision to this effect after tomorrow’s meeting.’’
A besieged state BJP leadership , however, claimed that rebel MLAs were about to return to the party fold. State BJP chief Vinay Katiyar said: ‘‘The SP hatched a conspiracy to split us. We have proof they tried to drive a wedge among our MLAs. But we won’t let that happen.’’
He said the party’s firefighting would continue ‘‘through the night and by tomorrow, everything would be normal’’. ‘‘There is no threat to the government,’’ Katiyar said.
Party rebels, however, stuck to their stand. Save BJP managing Committee spokesman Ramashish Rai said: ‘‘We are firm in our demand that BJP should pull its ministers out of the government and continue support from outside.’’
A party source said senior state leaders were meeting here today to discuss the rebels’ rigid stand. Disciplinary action against some dissidents was expected.
