BJP strains to turn its united face to PM

Tandon has asked Katiyar to take action against MLC Ramashish Singh and MLA Ganga Baksh Singh as well. “Any legislator can air his grievance in party forums but not before the media,” he said.

Independents and some BJP leaders had announced the meeting after being ignored or given insignificant portfolios by CM Mayawati.

Tandon said he too will attend the show to bring the rebels around. Katiyar is under pressure not to let the party dissidence come out in the open during Vajpayee’s two-day visit.

With too many contenders to keep happy, many who were accommodated are finding that there isn’t much to celebrate. Bhupinder Singh Kurmi, appointed Minister of State for Informal Education and even allotted room no 29 in the Assembly, has found that the department was scrapped two years ago.

Mahendra Singh Yadav, Minister for Secondary Education, has a department where his wife is the Principal Secretary. ‘‘That is why she has not come to office today. She has requested a transfer to another department,’’ said Yadav.

Mayawati has also split existing departments. Education Department has been divided into Basic, Higher, Technical and Agriculture education to accommodate four contenders.

Both Aridaman Singh, who was shifted from Family Welfare to Health, and Phagu Chauhan, the new minister in his place, are unhappy.