Advani to decide Shanta’s future

BJP sources said a lot would depend on what transpires at his meeting with Advani tomorrow. The Deputy PM, who has begun calling the shots, would decide the future course of action.

Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh BJP finally woke up today to crack the whip, expelling 20 leaders, including former minister Kunj Lal Thakur from Kullu. The party also disbanded block units in Jaswan, Bhuntar and Banjjar.

BJP parliamentary party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra refused to be drawn into the Shanta Kumar controversy. ‘‘It is for the high command to see. It is beyond my authority and brief to comment on this,’’ Malhotra told reporters when he was asked whether theparty planned to act against Kumar.

But like BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan, Malhotra too made it clear that ‘‘the party, however, is not in agreement with what Kumar has said’’ on the poll outcome.

Both Vajpayee and Advani have blamed BJP infighting for the Himachal debacle. Noting the lack of public enthusiasm at his rallies, Vajpayee maintained that ‘‘the results would have been different’’ had the state unit been intact.

Although Advani attributed the defeat to the anti-incumbency factor, he agreed infighting was a major contributor.

Party sources said that though Kumar could be faulted for his ‘‘indiscretion,’’ it would be ‘‘premature’’ and ‘‘unjust’’ to blame him for factionalism and the defeat. With Dhumal holding the levers of power and his protege Jaikishan Sharma heading the state BJP, they had a lot to explain.

Sources pointed to Vajpayee’s noting of 16-17 rebel BJP candidates. Mahajan too conceded yesterday that this was a reflection of the party health in the state.