New Chief Minister likely

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 26. There was every indication from the Bharatiya Janata Party's Central leadership today that it was seriously considering a change of Chief Ministership in Gujarat, but for the moment the State leadership has been given breathing time and asked to immediately submit a report on why the party had fared poorly in the recent by-elections.

Throughout the day a round of meetings were held - first for nearly three hours at the residence of the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K.Advani; then again, in the afternoon, there were meetings at Gujarat Bhavan and at the party headquarters; and finally, the party president, Mr. Jana Krishnamurthi, met the Prime Minister to brief him on the discussions during the day. In fact, this touched off speculations that the name of a successor to the beleaguered Chief Minister, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, would be finalised here.

However, it now seems that the State leaders - Chief Minister, Mr. Patel, State president, Mr. Rajindersinh Rana, and State organising secretary, Mr. Sanjay Joshi - who were here throughout the day and participated in the meeting at Mr. Advani's residence would be packing their bags to go back to Gandhinagar. But Mr. Jana Krishnamurthi did indicate that the matter would be discussed in some detail at the level of the Prime Minister and Mr. Advani as soon as the report from the State on the debacle is available.

During the meetings, the Central leadership was able to get an assurance from Mr. Keshubhai Patel that they would get his ``full cooperation'' in ``whatever decision the party takes.'' It seemed that while the mood at the party headquarters favoured a change, the leaders were not able to zero in on a successor who would be able to carry the entire State party along and send the right political message to the powerful Patel community which is Mr. Keshubhai's strength. Some party feels that if a `Patel' is removed and replaced by a backward caste man, it could become a problem.

Interestingly, the meeting at Mr. Advani's residence was attended also by the senior RSS leader, Mr. Madan Das Devi, besides Mr. Krishnamurthi, State prabhari, Mr. Madanlal Khurana, Central organisation secretary, Mr. Narendra Modi, and the three State leaders. Mr. Advani left half-way as he had to go for the NDA meeting. Mr. Krishnamurthi remained to thrash out the matter.

Later, Mr. Khurana described the meeting as an attempt at ``deep self-introspection'' and indicated that a decision would be taken soon. He avoided any direct answer to questions relating to change of leadership but added ``We will tell you when a decision is taken''. No party leader came forward to deny that Mr. Keshubhai Patel was in trouble.

All that Mr. Krishnamurthi would say is that any decision would be taken after discussing the State report on the poor performance in the by-elections.

But already names are being bandied about at the party office indicating that the search for a successor is on. One leader ruled out the party was considering an MP or a Union Minister, which would mean Mr. Kashiram Rana is not in the race. But till the party takes a final decision - and this could take time given its current preoccupations with international terrorism and forthcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls - no one can be sure who will succeed Mr. Patel.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Previous : Uproar in Bihar Assembly over Muzaffarpur firing
Next     : Newspapers off stands