Agitation over, Raje tackles rebellion

Having managed to successfully negotiate an end to the Gurjjar agitation, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has now also ensured that...

Having managed to successfully negotiate an end to the Gurjjar agitation, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has now also ensured that the Gurjjar and Meena MLAs, cribbing over the deal, fall in line.

The warnings to instigate another agitation, the threats to resign and the namecalling have been laid to rest, at least for now.

Raje managed this by indicating clearly to the MLAs that she meant business.

On Sunday, two BJP MLAs were suspended while notices were issued to 20 for their comments on the compromise between the Government and the Gurjjar community leaders.

Soon after that, the Kota police filed a case against one of the suspended MLAs, Prahlad Gunjal, accusing him of violating prohibitory orders. A three-year-old murder case against Gunjal8217;s brother-in-law was reopened, while the government cancelled allotment of some land in the name of Gunjal and his family. There were reports that the mines allotted to him might also be cancelled.

While Gunjal initially made some noises of protest, the other rebellious MLAs got the message, and have since kept their peace. Neither the Gurjjar nor the Meena MLAs are now likely to attend any community mahasabhas or comment on the issue.

8220;This is not the time to comment on the Gurjjar agitation or the action against Gunjal,8221; says a senior Gurjjar BJP MLA. 8220;Saying anything at this moment will mean inviting trouble. We already know that Raje attacks on the personal front if any MLA takes her on. So mum8217;s the word for now.8221;

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This is not the first time that MLAs who have openly talked against Raje have found themselves in legal hassles. Jhalawar MLA Jaganath Verma and Ganganagar MLA Surendra Singh Rathod, who were both suspended from the BJP for their comments about the Chief Minister, now face legal trouble.

Not more than three months ago, Minister for Social Welfare Madan Dilawar, a known rebel, backtracked after reports that details about his property were being sought by the Government. He himself conducted a media briefing to share the details.