What BJP won’t admit: MLAs breathe easy with Uma’s exit

While her party wraps her in the Tricolour and is all set to extract whatever political points it can, there is no escaping the undercurrent...

While her party wraps her in the Tricolour and is all set to extract whatever political points it can, there is no escaping the undercurrent of relief among many BJP legislators here after Uma Bharati’s resignation as Chief Minister yesterday.

For, the fact is that her exit has averted what was being seen as an inevitable showdown between the MLAs and their ruler.

While most MLAs are tense and anxious about their inclusion in the new government headed by Babulal Gaur, and are busy networking, strategising and planning their moves, the signs of relief are clear.

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Typically, Gaur is already on his way to Delhi tonight, significantly with rebel MLA Himmat Kothari and veteran state leader Kailash Joshi, to meet the party high command over the formation of his new Cabinet.

Also on his agenda: the future of the three tainted ministers, accused by none other than Bharati’s brother, Swami Lodhi.

Ironically, the most recent public spat between some MLAs and Bharati was over the last Cabinet expansion that left many simmering over their exclusion. The revolt was led by six-time MLA and former minister Kothari, who accused the former CM of deep, personal prejudice. ‘‘The expansion shows she wants a council of ministers who are pliant, loyal to her and not the party,’’ he had complained bitterly, and had sent a letter to the national leadership in Delhi. Other critics included the SC Morcha president and Pandhana MLA Kishorilal Verma, who resigned from his post in protest saying Bharati’s commitment to Dalits was a cruel joke; Indore MLA Prakash Sonkar who left for Delhi to complain to senior leaders, and MLAs like Dhyanendra Singh and Yashodhara Raje, who called her ‘‘autocratic.’’

	Coterie eclipsed too

			Nervousness has gripped Bharati’s coterie. Besides Swadeshi Jagran Manch’s S Gurumurthy and expelled party ideologue, the elusive Govindacharya, this includes • Controversial brother Swami Lodhi • Favoured nephews Siddharth and Rahul Singh Lodhi • RSS brandosaur Anil Dave • Ex-journalist Atul Jain • Party executive member Shailendra Sharma.

Even Gaur, sources said, was stunned by his change of portfolio in the last reshuffle. He was removed from the high-profile Ministry of Urban Development—for which he was fast becoming a middle-class hero for his no-nonsense demolition drive in cities—and given the Home portfolio. Sources said this was seen as a way of cutting Gaur to size given his rising popularity. But the seasoned politician he is, he never challenged Uma, neither did he make any noises in public. When asked about his disagreement with Bharati’s style of governance, Kothari today played it safe: ‘‘The two issues are completely different. We certainly support Uma Bharati in resigning and taking up the cause of the tri-colour. We are completely with her on this. As far as being relieved she is gone, there is nothing to say as the issue is now over.’’ Kothari and company, apart from others, may be rewarded by Gaur for taking on his predecessor—besides Kothari himself, Kishorilal Varma, Yashodhra Raje, Sudha Jain, Ajay Bisnoi and Madhukar Harne may be included in the new Cabinet. There is also relief over the fact that Uma’s coterie is out and ministerial colleagues and legislators can interact with the CM on a one-to-one basis. Party MLAs had viewed the coterie of family members and confidants with suspicion and resentment for the clout they wielded in government and state. That Uma had ruffled many feathers is apparent as many view her possible comeback, if the court dismisses the case, with fear. Veteran party leader Kailash Joshi says he backs Uma’s decision to resign although he adds that it will be a long time before she can come back to MP politics. ‘‘These cases can drag on for long,’’ said Joshi, ‘‘but if the court dismisses the case, it is up to the high command to decide her future.’’