Govt turns to Sangh as 8216;isolated8217; Bhandari sulks

The Bihar Governor made no effort to hide his anger 8212; he went directly to the Kalkaji residence of former Delhi Minister Poornima Sethi instead of checking into Bihar Niwas where he is entitled to stay as Governor. Till late this afternoon, he made no effort to contact any leader.

But the intervention of the RSS seems to have had some effect. After remaining incommunicado for most of the day, Bhandari agreed to meet PrimeMinister Atal Behari Vajpayee in the evening. The two met over dinner at the latter8217;s residence, but the talks were 8220;inconclusive8221;, a prime ministerial aide said. They will meet again on Saturday as Vajpayee will be busy the whole day tomorrow with the National Development Council NDC meeting.

Although Bhandari is likely to meet the PM again, BJP leaders are not too sure about a positive outcome. Bhandari is known, they feel, for his obstinacy and hence is unlikely to change his mind.

However, there was no communication between Bhandari and the chief target of his anger, Advani. The Home Minister spent the afternoon in Agra, attending the Taj Mahotsav.

After arriving in New Delhi, Bhandari met former Union Minister and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj who came calling in the afternoon. He also spoke to a host of mediapersons, who kept filing in at regular intervals.

Sethi8217;s residence was also flooded with BJP leaders like party secretary Pyare Lal Khandelwal, former Madhya Pradesh Minister Babu Lal Gaur,Lok Sabha MP Laxmi Narain Pandey and Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Revenue Ashok Yadav, for whom Bhandari has become a rallying point. This circle made no bones about its conviction that the Advani-Govindacharya duo wanted Bhandari out of Bihar and chose to humiliate him publicly to achieve this aim.

Bhandari apparently had no idea that he was being replaced till he heard Advani8217;s announcement over television on Tuesday. He then spoke to Advani who confirmed that such a proposal had been mooted but the Home Minister asked him not to resign yet.

Bhandari also confirmed that Vajpayee and Defence Minister George Fernandes too had spoken to him while he was in Patna. But he refused to divulge the details of his talks.

Angered at what he perceived as a humiliating move, Bhandari is believed to have told Advani that he would not stay in Patna for a day longer. True to his word, he packed his bags and left on Wednesday.

For the BJP, the crisis is proving to be a major embarrassment. Its inner-partyfeuds are once again in the public eye and rival factions are no longer shy about speaking out openly against each other.

Anti-Govindacharya leaders in Bihar BJP like Tarakant Jha and Yashodanand Singh were said to have been in touch with Bhandari in Patna. A section of BJP workers led by Purnima Sethi are reported to have raised slogans in Patna on Tuesday condemning both Advani and Govindacharya.

The fact that Bhandari has yet not resigned, gives BJP leaders some hope that he may be persuaded. But the stubborn leader that Bhandari is, has kept everyone guessing.

8220;I am still the Governor of Bihar and may attend the NDC meeting tomorrow. Bihar officials who are coming to attend the meeting, are in touch with me8221; a hurt Bhandari said.

He also denied that 8220;the uncertainty8221; over his fate was affecting the state8217;s administration. 8220;My officials are in regular touch with me,8221; he said, adding, 8220;In this age of telecommunication revolution, you can manage things from a distance.8221;

8220;I am keeping alloptions open,8221; Bhandari said when asked by reporters whether he had decided to step down from office in the wake of Advani8217;s remarks. 8220;I8217;ll take a decision at an appropriate time,8221; he added.

Asked whether the image of Vajpayee Government had been tarnished as a result of Advani8217;s remarks, Bhandari said: 8220;I don8217;t think the government8217;s image has been affected.8221;

On Laloo Yadav8217;s demand that the Centre give additional charge of Governor to the Patna High Court Chief Justice, Bhandari said 8220;a Governor8217;s office cannot remain vacant. I am the Governor and I feel some nominee of the Centre will always be there.8221;

Asked if he felt Advani was acting with a vengeance following Bhandari8217;s reported remarks that those chargesheeted in hawala scam should resign, the Governor replied: 8220;I have never said anything like this.8221;