The fast that-was-not-be was in protest against the Central Government's apathy towards the plight of the MP farmers, whose crops have been destroyed by frost.

Overzealous officials had not only set-up a temporary office of the Chief Minister at the protest venue but had even got erected spacious tents for holding Cabinet meetings. Chambers for the officials of the CM's secretariat were also erected. The elaborate arrangements made for the protest gave an impression that the fast may continue for days together. Many estimates have been made vis a vis the amount spent by the state government for creating the infrastructure for the CM's much-publicised protest. According to the main opposition Congress, around Rs. two crores were spent. The Congress leaders have demanded that the Chief Minister should reimburse the amount from his salary.

Much more objectionable was the presence of officers at the protest venue. Most of the officers present at the protest venue belonged to All India services like the IAS and the IPS. By associating themselves with an agitation against the Central government, the officers can reasonably be accused of opposing a duly-elected Union government.

By any yardstick, by deciding to begin a fast-unto-death against the Central Government, the CM had created an embarrassing situation not only for himself but for his party—the BJP. It is learnt that he announced his decision to go on fast, without consulting his ministerial colleagues. He tried to seek post-facto approval of the cabinet at a meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Secretariat. At the meeting, some Ministers came up with a proposal that Ministers should also resort to a fast at divisional and district headquarters. They argued that it would apprise the masses with the step-motherly treatment being meted out to the state by the Centre. However, the proposal was reportedly vetoed by Babulal Gaur, the seniormost Minister and also a former CM. He made it clear that even if the Cabinet adopted a formal resolution mandating the Ministers to undertake an indefinite fast, he would not comply with the decision.

Many stories are circulating in the political corridors about the factors that led to abrupt withdrawal of the fast by the CM. It is reliably learnt that the Governor told the Chief Minister in categorical terms that his going to fast would lead to collapse of the government and breaking down of the administration. In such a situation, he warned the CM, he would be constrained to take over the governance of the State by invoking Article 356 of the Constitution. He, apparently, showed to the CM the report he had sent to the President of India, apprising her of the peculiar situation that would be created if the CM chose to go on a an fast-unto-death. It seems that the threat worked and the CM agreed to give up his plan.

The Chief Minister is reported to have consulted the BJP chief Nitin Gadkari and other Central leaders, who apparently advised him to abide by the Governor's advice. After the stick, the Governor dangled a carrot before the CM. He assured that he would provide the CM with a saving grace, by getting him an assurance from the Prime Minister that the Centre would give the state's demand a sympathetic consideration.

But the manner in which the Chief Minister announced his decision to withdraw the fast, left many state BJP leaders in an awkward situation. Even the state BJP chief Mr. Prabhat Jha was not taken into confidence by the Chief Minister. According to reports in the local Press, the CM's abrupt and dramatic decision to withdraw his fast, created ripples in the party circles. Prabhat Jha felt let down. He found support from party veterans like former Chief Minister Kailash Joshi, who too was not happy with the way the Chief Minister made the announcement from the dais at the proposed fast venue.

Joshi, reportedly, told CM that he should have left the job of announcing the withdrawal to the state party chief or to one of the two national BJP general secretaries present at the spot. The Jha camp is angry and peeved.

The aborted anti-Centre agitation has boosted the morale of the Congress. The Congress leaders are criticising the agitation on two more counts. The first is that the agitation venue was on the land owned by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a government of India undertaking. And the second that it was located just opposite a leading Girls' Higher Secondary school of the city, having a student strength of over 4500. The annual examinations are on and there is no doubt that the agitation would have been a nuisance for the students.

All said and done, the agitation and its unceremonious withdrawal has dented the CM's image. It has amply displayed the Chief Minister’s lack of maturity, wisdom and vision.(IPA Service)