LUCKNOW, NOV 23: Uttar Pradesh BJP leader Rajnath Singh's elevation to the Union Cabinet yesterday has delighted his supporters in the state unit. Party national president Kushabhau Thakre and Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee are said to be all praise for his proven organisational skills, and reportedly wanted to move him to New Delhi quite some time back.When he had spoken to The Indian Express after Kalyan Singh was replaced by Ram Prakash Gupta as Chief Minister, Rajnath Singh had said that he too was ready to be moved to Delhi and accept any assignment the party deemed fit to give him.``I do not consider myself above the party and will not consider another assignment a punishment,'' he had said. Now in the Union Cabinet, Rajnath Singh has little reason to consider his new job a punishment.UP Minister Raja Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Rajja Bhaiyya said: ``We are really very happy. Rajnath Singh's elevation is in his interest as well as the party's. And after shifting out such a proficient person, thestate BJP will find it difficult to get an adequate replacement.''Media advisor to the state BJP Ram Kirpal Singh said keeping the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections in mind, central party leaders could not have delayed the move further. The party high command, knowing fully well that a Rajput leader from Rajasthan or any other part of the country could not be effective, wanted a Thakur leader of eastern UP who could woo the Rajputs of Bihar.Similarly with an eye on the Bhumihar vote bank, Vajpayee has elevated C.P. Thakur, he said.Staying in state politics would have ruined his (Rajnath Singh's) career, said another senior party leader, adding that here he was gradually becoming the leader of Kalyan's detractors. ``His shifting has not come as a surprise. It was expected that the axe would fall on him also after Kalyan Singh was replaced,'' he said.``While Kalyan Singh has spoiled his political career with his irresponsible behaviour, Rajnath Singh, by displaying restraint in his reaction,has got a bonanza,'' the leader added.Meanwhile, rumour has it that the high command is keen to appoint a Backward, especially a Kurmi, as the state party chief. It is of the view that the Kurmi state president will be able to halt the drift of Backward votes to other parties as witnessed in the last Lok Sabha elections.Partymen are hoping that either of the Kurmi leaders Om Prakash Singh, Union Minister of State Santosh Gangwar or MP Vinay Katiyar, will replace Rajnath Singh.
