The episode of Bhagat Singh Koshiyari agreeing to withdraw his resignation from the Rajya Sabha has not only provided yet another reprieve to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri but has also led to the latters emergence stronger than ever before. Koshiyari had submitted his resignation two days back and his move was seen as yet another attempt to pressurize the BJPs high command on the issue of a change in leadership in Uttarakhand. BJP sources maintain that persuading Koshiyari to withdraw his resignation was the best thing that the central leadership could have done in the present circumstances. Taking disciplinary action against him would have further fuelled trouble in Uttarakhand. It also needs to be taken into account that things are volatile at both the central level as well as in some other BJP ruled states. The best move was to make him withdraw his resignation. While Yashwant Sinhas resignation from various posts in the BJP has been quickly accepted,Koshiyari has been asked o withdraw his, said a BJP functionary. Meanwhile,functionaries close to Khanduri say that he has emerged stronger than ever before after this episode. People have understood that there are elements who do not want Khanduri to function smoothly and this is ultimately hampering the development of the state. It has also vindicated Khanduri on the issue of BJP losing all the five seats in the Lok Sabha polls as it has become clear that damage had come from within the party, said a functionary close to Khanduri. Referring to Koshiyari withdrawing his resignation,he added,The message that has gone down is very clear. He had submitted his resignation in frustration and has withdrawn it under pressure. The legislators from Koshiyari camp who have been camping Delhi over the last five days were not reachable as they had kept their mobile phones switched off. The lower rung functionaries from Kumaon region,who had also submitted their resignation following Koshiyari are now facing disciplinary action with at least 21 of them being suspended and handed over show cause notices. Meanwhile the Congress has attacked the BJP over the episode. This is the height of lust for power that is on display. Without bothering for the people of the state who are facing an acute shortage of water supply and power besides hundreds of employees agitating,the BJP leadership is just engrossed in a struggle for power, said senior Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana. With the fires of dissidence appearing to have been doused by the central leadership,at least for the present,the BJP will now be facing another challenge in the shape of Vikas Nagar assembly by-poll that is scheduled to be held soon. The legislator from the seat Munna Singh Chauhan had quit both his assembly membership and the BJP to unsuccessfully contest the Lok Sabha poll from the Tehri seat on a BSP ticket.
