Gaur’s daughter-in-law quits as tourism chief

With growing dissent in the party rank and file over her appointment, the BJP top brass in Madhya Pradesh today eased out Chief Minister Bab...

With growing dissent in the party rank and file over her appointment, the BJP top brass in Madhya Pradesh today eased out Chief Minister Babulal Gaur’s daughter-in-law, Krishna Gaur, from the post of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation chief.

Her appointment, about 10 days back, had fuelled speculation that the Chief Minister was looking for his political heir. Gaur had lost his only son, Purshottam, to a cardiac arrest about six months ago.

Although senior BJP leaders today claimed that Krishna herself had expressed the desire to step down and serve the organisation instead, party insiders revealed that her selection had come as an embarrassment to the party, with the Opposition describing her as a ‘‘novice’’.

Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi had launched a scathing attack in the state Assembly, alleging that Gaur was allowing his daughter-in-law to interfere in administrative work. Not only was the Opposition unhappy at the appointment, even senior party leaders had voiced their resentment to state unit president Shivraj Singh Chauhan at a two-day chintan meeting at Pachmari recently.

Industries Minister Kailash Chawla, however, denied that the controversy led to Krishna’s resignation. ‘‘She had herself expressed the willingness to serve the organisation, instead of occupying the top post at the corporation. Hence, we had to accept her resignation,’’ Chawla told reporters here.

The Chief Minister echoed similar sentiments. ‘‘It was purely her wish and has nothing to do with any controversy,’’ Gaur said.

Party sources, however, admitted that the continued adverse publicity led to the resignation. ‘‘There was a feeling among a section that Krishna got the job because of the CM,’’ said a senior party leader.

When contacted, Krishna Gaur refused to comment.