The conflict between BJP president Rajnath Singh and Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje over the appointment of O P Mathur as the president of the state unit of the party has been resolved after Singh received Raje for lunch at his place, said party sources. Sushma Swaraj was also present at the lunch.

Earlier this week, Singh appointed O P Mathur replacing Mahesh Sharma against the wishes of the Chief Minister, who cried foul and even reportedly threatened to resign.

With the RSS backing Rajnath on the issue, the Chief Minister has scaled down her opposition and agreed to work with Mathur. In turn, she has been assured of non-interference in the Government, said sources. Rajasthan turned out to be a case where the BJP chief asserted himself and claimed authority over organisational matters. After the announcement of Advani as the PM candidate, the tussle for Number 2 slot in the party is getting intense and Rajnath is losing no opportunity to declare that he is in command.

Just as he ensured that his writ runs in Rajasthan, Singh rejected demands from senior leader Ananth Kumar to replace Karnataka BJP president D V Sadananda Gowda. B S Yeddiyurappa and Gowda are acting in tandem and Advani acolyte Kumar has been pressing hard for a new chief before the state moved to election mode. As was the case in Rajasthan, Rajnath Singh is toeing the RSS line here too. Sadananda Gowda is considered close to the powers that be in the RSS. Ananth Kumar even went to the extent of staying away from a party rally addressed by Rajnath Singh in Raichur recently and leaders of his faction also boycotted it.

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