BJP leadership tells Himachal rebels to quit campaign against CM

BJP leadership tells Himachal rebels to quit campaign against CM
AASHA KHOSA

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3: BJP dissidents who had raised a banner of revolt against the Prem Kumar Dhumal government in Himachal Pradesh have suspended their campaign following the tongue-lashing they got from the party's central leadership.

The seven-member delegation of rebels, including four ousted ministers, remained inside Himachal Bhawan and refused to meet mediapersons today. The euphoria which had gripped the dissidents' camp on their arrival in the capital had also evaporated.

BJP president Bangaru Laxman is also reported to have snubbed the dissidents for trying to create a crisis in the Dhumal government by choosing to boycott the ongoing session of the state legislature in Shimla. The BJP leadership has also told the dissidents to forget about any change in the leadership in Himachal Pradesh at present. They even met Union Home Minister and senior L.K. Advani but the response was same, sources told The Indian Express.

The rebels have been clearly told to ``apologise publicly for their act of embarrassing the Dhumal government'' and to attend the legislature session immediately.

Chief Minister Dhumal, who is also in the capital to attend a conference, moved around confidently today. Sources close to him told The Indian Express that ``the rebels had crossed all limits and were seen speaking the language of the Opposition''. Dhumal, who in the past has accommodated the rebels' demands, had decided to put his foot down this time.

The rebels, led by Kishen Kapoor, were demanding a change in the state leadership and also replacement of Narendra Modi as party general secretary in charge of Himachal Pradesh.

The open revolt against Dhumal, which for some time at least seemed to throw the government into a crisis, is rooted in the long-standing political rivalry between Dhumal and Union Minister Shanta Kumar. The BJP had sent Shanta Kumar to rein in dissidents after another recent revolt.

Dullu Ram, one of the dissident MLAs had said that their ``basic grouse is against registration of an FIR against two of our colleagues in Kangra''. Two women members of the Zilla Parishad owing allegiance to the Congress had lodged FIR against two dissident ministers for ``abduction and wrongful confinement''. It is this FIR which the dissidents want Dhumal to withdraw. However, Dhumal's supporters say the demand is ``absurd''.

The Dhumal government enjoys a majority in the state legislature with 35 members in the 68-member House. The Himachal Vikas party (HVP) led by Sukh Ram, with its two members, is an ally of the government. Besides the Congress, had 28 members and one each are unattached and independent.

The Dhumal camp, however, says there was no threat to the government following dissidents' activities.