M A I N   N E W S

Change of guard ruled out in HP
Tribune News Service and agencies

New Delhi, March 3
The BJP today ruled out any change of leadership in Himachal Pradesh and sternly told the ‘rebel’ MLAs that it was not ready to tolerate any kind of indiscipline.

The seven ‘rebel’ MLAs, including four sacked ministers, who called on party President here yesterday, had been asked to publicly apologise for their act before which their grievances would not be heard, party sources said.

Even as the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, left it to the party high command to find a solution to the crisis gripping his government, the rebels remained closeted for the entire day today, trying to finalise their next course of action.

Evidently taken aback at the party high command’s tough message to them yesterday to withdraw their statement against the Chief Minister, the rebels were weighing various options, including the scenario in which fresh elections are called.

Serious efforts were, however, being made to find a way out of the tangle with senior party leaders — Mr Maheshwar Singh and Mr Suresh Chandel — talking to the seven rebels to find a “honourable” way out.

The rebels have indicated that it would be difficult for them to withdraw their statement against the Chief Minister as it would reflect badly on them. But they may agree to lie low for some days to ward off the crisis facing the state government if they are given some assurance by the high command that their demands would be looked into later. “The rebels could attend the Budget session and their demands could be taken up after the session,” a party leader said.

Even leaders sympathising with the rebels have quietly advised them against precipitating the matters. Though it is learnt that the supporters of Mr Dhumal have expressed confidence about the BJP returning to power even if state Assembly is dissolved and fresh elections called, not many senior leaders of the party share this assessment.

Hectic efforts are being made to resolve the issue by tomorrow so that the government could have smooth sailing in the ongoing Budget session of the Assembly.

If a middle path is found, the rebels would issue a statement expressing full faith in the high command and leave for Shimla.