M A I N   N E W S

Rebels to wait until March 25
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 22
The choice of the next national president of the BJP is likely to play a crucial role in resolving the three-week political crisis plaguing the Dhumal ministry.

The seven rebels, who returned after a week’s sojourn in Delhi during which they apprised the central leadership of their grievances, have decided to wait until March 25 to allow the high command to take action on their demands. Their future course of action will depend on the response of the high command.

They had detailed talks with Mr Jena Krishnamurthi, the acting national president of the BJP, and Mr Pyare Lal Khandelwal, BJP Vice-President. Much will depend on the outcome of the two-day meeting of the national executive from March 24 in Delhi during which the party will decide on the next president. If the party favours the continuation of Mr Krishnamurthi, the crisis will be resolved within the next few days. But if it opts for some other leader in view of the Assembly elections in some states, the crisis may linger on.

Dr Rajan Sushant, spokesman for the dissidents, said they were firm on the change in leadership and removal of Mr Narinder Modi as in charge of the party affairs in Himachal Pradesh. He said over the past few days, stories had been planted in the media to give an impression that they had bowed down before the high command and given up their demands.

He said the Dhumal government was still in office only because they did not want to pull down the government.

The party was not a private property of a few ‘upstarts’ who emerged on the political scene only during the 1998 Assembly election and were masquerading as saviours of the BJP, he said.

He claimed that the high command was much more appreciative of their stand on corruption and other issues after the Tehelka “expose”. Also none of them were hankering for a ministerial berth.

He said the Sangh Parivar had also appreciated their stand. However, the attitude of the state government was not conducive to the early resolution of the crisis. It had not taken any action on the issue, particularly instances of corruption pointed out in their letter three weeks ago.

Even an assurance to safeguard the interests of Himachali youths, who were being denied jobs in various projects, had not been forthcoming.