Date:14/03/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/03/14/stories/2003031406351100.htm

National

BJP wants to make an example of Shanta Kumar

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 13. A strong lobby in the Bharatiya Janata Party wants to see the Union Minister and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Shanta Kumar, punished and even ousted from the Union Cabinet, to make an example of him to help curb dissidence in the party.

However, at present there is no certainty about his exit from the Cabinet, but what is clear is that the party bigwigs want to send a loud message to would-be-trouble-makers in the four States going to the elections later this year that indiscipline and infighting will not be tolerated, and action will be taken even if a tall leader is involved.

A senior party leader pointed out that punishing Mr. Kumar at this stage could not reverse the defeat suffered in Himachal, but it could certainly serve as a warning to those who think nothing of indulging in factionalism at the party's cost. Four days ago, Mr. Kumar was asked to explain in writing his comments to the press that the BJP lost in Himachal because it failed to fulfil its promises to the people.

Earlier, on the Gujarat issue, Mr. Kumar had made comments not to the liking of those whose favourite was the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi. It seems that Mr. Kumar may also not lose the opportunity to attack his rival, P.K. Dhumal, by pointing out his sins of omission and commission. The only problem is that at this juncture, Mr. Dhumal has several godfathers in the party and Mr. Kumar almost none.

In Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi where Assembly polls are due in October-November, the party is aware that the damage potential from infighting is very high. The party leadership wants to kill that virus before it spreads or assumes epidemic proportions before elections.