UP BJP sizes up Rajnath’s 100-day stint

Om Prakash has now emerged as a “victim” of Dalits’ neglect. Mishra and Tandon still feel they would have made a better chief minister,

None of these leaders have been reined in, keeping in mind the BJP’s failing popularity and the coming Assembly polls. All four leaders, for records’ sake, say they never had any differences. But the “facts” speak otherwise.

The differences were evident during the Prime Minister’s recent visit when each of the four tried to welcome A.B. Vajpayee his way. Advertisements in newspapers during the visit tried to highlight certain leaders’ names only.

The silent battle has also spilled over into the organisation of kisan panchyats. Mishra insisted on open sessions with farmers despite Rajnath Singh’s displeasure. Apparently such sessions “expose shortcomings” of his government.

Om Prakash too organised separate pro-farmer sessions to show himself in the best light. A party worker said: “The leaders should refrain from letting their egos take over. Instead, they should work as one to ensure the party faces elections unitedly.”

Rajnath, however, seems to have used his time in office to learn that he should not make tall promises without knowing the facts. He has talked with people at panchayts, that included teachers and students.

The chief minister knows now that promising to tone up law and order in 15 days or putting the state administration back on the rails in a jiffy don’t work. A senior BJP leader said: “We have a long way to go if we want to win the polls. Our leaders should realise this.”