From eking out a living as a daily wager when he was just 14 years old to heading a State at 74, Babulal Gaur has seen more ups and downs in life than his wrinkled face betrays. Fifteen months after taking over as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Gaur is facing the biggest crisis of his life, thanks to his predecessor Uma Bharati. In an interview with Milind Ghatwai, Gaur slammed the party high command and Bharati for the current uncertainty in the State.• While there has been uncertainty in the air since the early days of your chief ministership, this time your detractors seem to be serious. How many days to do you give yourself?I have been through this before. This talk surfaces every now and then. But I am doing my job regardless of all this. I will remain as long as the high command wants, the moment it asks me to go I will vacate the chair.• Even some of your ministers are camping in Delhi, with senior BJP leaders granting them audience. Isn’t this a clear signal? How long do you think the uncertainty will prevail?What can I do? My hands are tied. I don’t call up Delhi and plead my case. In fact, I cancelled a visit to Delhi because everyone would have concluded that I am lobbying too.• Uma Bharati has detractors in the high command who would like to deny her the chief ministership. Don’t you have friends to take up your case?I have neither friends nor enemies in the party. I don’t have a lobby. I believe in work.• Why do you think Bharati is after you?Ask her. She wants to become the chief minister because the party scuttled her plans to become a general secretary. Ever since she gathered that she wouldn’t get the party post, she is after me. She is also angry with me (laughs) because I called her a ‘‘sinking ship’’ after the party expelled her.• Who do you hold responsible for the present state of affairs and the indiscipline in the State party unit?The high command. Uma Bharati is making statements, her supporters are talking openly but the party is not acting. I have remained silent so far. The indiscipline and the campaign will stop the moment the high command wants. There is little I can do. The party is getting a bad name. I was made chief minister by the party. I have no individual entity.• Have you spoken to Bharati since she started creating trouble for you?No, not even once.• Are you afraid of facing the legislature party meeting? Why don’t you agree to the demand for its meeting to decide the issue once and for all?Why should I? Let the party give an order. In any case, the matter will become clear on the floor of Assembly.• Your detractors are targeting you from all corners, even casting doubts on your character by linking your name with women. Why aren’t you refuting the allegations.I have papers with me where she (Shagufta Kabir) called me a father-like figure. I have clarified my position. Every barking dog does not deserve attention. She wanted a minister’s position, which was not possible.• Who do you think can replace you?There are six-seven names doing the rounds. Let them select anyone of them, I will quietly go home.• You seem to be preparing for life after retirement by calling yourself a martyr and that people would remember you for your work.The remarks were made in a different context. I will remain till the party wants me to.
