BJP conclave fails to evolve consensus on Uttaranchal CM

The two leaders were not able to converge on some of the crucial issues which have been bothering the party rank and file and the general public in Uttaranchal even after meeting the party MPs and MLAs and other office-bearers.

Party sources said there were at least six contenders for the post of Chief Minister and the party leaders were also divided between Dehra Dun and Nainital as their choice for setting up of a temporary capital.

Most of the party MPs and MLAs opposed any move by the high command to appoint any outsider as Chief Minister. They contended that the Chief Minister should be from amongst them. While Kalraj Mishra candidly admitted that the decision about the Chief Minister would be decided by the high command, Thakre stonewalled all attempts by the scribes to know anything on the issue.

Interestingly, Thakre said that he was here only to talk about developmental issues with the party MPs and MLAs of the new state. Mishra had said that the opinion of the party MPs and MLAs would be conveyed to the party high command sincerely. He further said that anyone whether MLA, MP or even outsider could be the Chief Minister.

The ever increasing list of party aspirants for the top post include, Nityanand Swami, chairman of the UP legislative Council, Manohar Kant Dhayani, Rajya Sabha MP who is an old RSS hand, Maj Gen B.C. Khanduri retd, chief whip of the BJP in the Lok Sabha who represents Pauri Garhwal parliamentary constituency, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, UP Minister of Religious Affairs, Bhagat Singh Khoshiyari, president of the Uttaranchalunit of the BJP, and Manvendra Shah, MP from Tehri Garhwal.

Indications point that a final decision on these issues would be taken by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. But the two-day conclave has only left Uttaranchal BJP leaders more confused.