NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kushabhau Thakre's 'Mission Lucknow' is basically to warn the state party unit that further dissension could sound its death knell in Uttar Pradesh, a party leader said on Saturday.
The high command virtually pulled Thakre out of retirement to douse the flames of revolt by 12 legislators in UP. The dissension has put the survival of the Mayawati-led government at risk.
It has also put a question mark over the state party unit's ability to function as a cohesive unit.
Thakre has not minced words. He has made it clear in UP that if the party loses power in the state, it would be like losing the central government, he told rediff.com.
"We will not let our political detractors disturb the stability of the Mayawati government. They [the Samajwadi Party] can try every trick in the book, but they will not succeed."
He said he did not wish to comment on the issue of horse-trading in Lucknow because "it is a double-edged weapon. Those who are desperate to acquire power are resorting to it".
Significantly, BJP spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Friday insinuated that as far horse-trading was concerned, they could play the same game, as several Samajwadi Party legislators were in touch with the BJP.
"Our central leadership is worried that this crisis in UP has cropped up when our energies should be concentrated on the approaching polls in Gujarat. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is concerned that the party's image is plummeting [in UP] and Thakresahib has been sent as a last resort..." he said.
State party leaders like Rajnath Singh, Kalraj Mishra and Lalji Tandon, he pointed out, are likely to be summoned to Delhi to meet the prime minister once the present crisis dissipates.
"The prime minister's parliamentary constituency is in Lucknow. He is likely to tell them that if he cannot repose faith and trust in them [regarding the resuscitation of the unit], they can always be replaced," Naqvi said.
Asked about Governor Vishnukant Shastri's stand on the present crisis, he said, "Of course, the governor will go by the Constitution. It is they [the Samjawadi Party] who are resorting to unconstitutional means to grab power."
EARLIER REPORTS Demand for special session of assembly rejected Dissidence is an 'internal affair' of the BJP: Mayawati SP stakes claim to form government Mayawati government in trouble after 12 BJP MLAs withdraw support SP's request for help in UP will be discussed: Congress Congress unlikely to rescue sinking SP ship Suspended BJP MLA sets conditions for talks Sonia gives 'patient hearing' to Mulayam and co Eight independents withdraw support to Mayawati govt Sonia-Mulayam meeting on Sunday evening SP, Congress MLAs willing to support us: BJP Amar Singh holds talks with Congress leaders No need to convene assembly: UP Governor Fifteen BSP legislators willing to revolt: Mulayam Rebel BJP legislators not interested in meeting PM The Election in UP: The Complete Coverage
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
