Although the BJP finally selected its state President many in the party were surprised when they learnt that a Brahmin has been given the responsibility despite the fact that already a Brahmin was heading the legislative wing of the party. Normally BJP relies on OBCs rather than other communities. But this time a Brahmin has been chose because of the insistence of the RSS.

Though the BJP has finally chosen its organisational head in the Congress both the legislative and organisational wings are being headed by Kamal Nath. All efforts to choose state party chief have failed so far. It was a coincidence that on the day BJP announced its party chief serious factional differences in the Congress party came in the open. Organisational coordination committee of the Congress held its meeting in Delhi but failed to resolve any issue. As there was no agreement among leaders on any issue in the meeting, it was decided that another meeting will be held on February 23.

Sources said the meeting continued for two hours but there was no accord on any issue. Besides Jyotirditrya Scindia, Deepak Babaria, Digviajaya Singh, Jitu Patwari, Meenakshi Natrajan and Arun Yadav were present in the meeting held at Nath’s residence. The leaders also discussed party’ condition at grass root level and felt that it would be difficult for the party to win elections of urban bodies and Panchayats. Babaria said that the MPCC president would soon be appointed and there would be changes in the organisation. The committee felt that ministers should pay attention to party workers. It was also discussed whether the urban body polls could be held in the pattern of Panchaya elections – without symbols. Both Scindia and Babaria tried to mount pressure on Nath on the issue of political appointments. They said that political appointments should be made through discussions.

Prior to Delhi meeting, Jyotiraditya Scindia held a big show in his area. Addressing the huge crowd of supporters he said all out efforts should be made to implement assurances given in ‘Vachan Patra” (a sort of manifesto) issued before elections. He also threatened that if serious efforts are not made to implement promises he would be forced to “demonstrate on the streets. Reacting to Scindia’s threat Chief Minister Kamal Nath said “he is free to do so”.

Chief Minister made the above statement after attending the Congress’s coordination meeting. On the issue of guest scolars, Scindia had said that it was in Congress’s Vachan Patra that their services would be regularised. It is clear from Nath’s statement that internal squabbling in the party may spill out in streets any day.

Scindia said that the party had promised to waive farmers’ loan up to Rs. 2 lakh, but only farmers with loans up to Rs. 50,000 got relief. “If the party reneges on its promises made before the assembly elections he will launch an agitation for the people” Scindia said.

The supporters of Scindia have demanded that he should be made MPCC president but CM Nath and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh did not agree to it and the appointment of MPCC head is still hanging in balance. It is said that other than vying for the post of MPCC president Scindia is also in the race for Rajya Sabha membership elections for which are due in the month of April. Scindia is angry because he is not getting enough attention from the government. (IPA Service)