MP CM Chouhan under duress over Uma Bharti's return

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abhishekb

21 July, 2010

Opposition MLAs were protesting against the statement made by the Chief Minister, wherein he had claimed that land mafia in the state was actively collecting money to get him removed.

THE POLITICAL flux reigning in the state of Madhya Pradesh was reflected in the chaos prevailing in the state Assembly today, when the House was forced to be adjourned by opposition, while protesting against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's statement in Shivpuri.

Opposition MLAs were protesting against the statement made by the Chief Minister, wherein he had claimed that land mafia in the state was actively collecting money to get him removed. The opposition is now asking the CM to reveal the names of land mafia and political leaders, who he felt were behind this accusation.

Political observers, claim that this statement by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, can cause him further trouble as it had come at a time, when the BJP chief minister is under duress from his own party. There are also strong divisions in the party rank and file, particularly on the return of Uma Bharti.

In addition, a section of the party is also opposed to the style of functioning of Shivraj Singh Chouhan and they are looking for a possible change in the state leadership, though it seems to be a little improbable at this juncture.

Uma Bharti's return to the party fold is causing maximum headache to the BJP Chief Minister and he has expressed strong reservations over bringing Bharti back into the party fold. In fact, the CM and the state BJP chief Prabhat Jha have sounded the party leadership in Delhi, opposing this idea.

The state BJP is strongly divided over the issue but there is strong support for Uma Bharti in sections of the party leadership. The issue has rattled the CM and his supporters so much that he reportedly conveyed to BJP and RSS leadership that her return could prove counter productive for the party in Madhya Pradesh.

However, two senior members of state cabinet Babulal Gaur and Kailash Vijayvargiya have strongly supported Uma Bharti's return to the party, as in their opinion this move could strengthen the party in the state as well as help it in winning OBC votes in the ensuing Bihar elections.

In reality, a number of BJP leaders are expecting and hoping that the return of Uma Bharti could end the stranglehold of Chouhan over the party and government in the state. For the past few years, Madhya Pradesh politics has been dominated by Chouhan and his supporters and those opposed to him see this is issue as an opportunity to spar with him and bring him down a few pegs.

Chouhan is already rattled due to dissension in party ranks as well as allegations of corruption against his government. It is pertinent to mention here that there is a strong feeling of resentment in BJP and a section of leadership also wants a change in the party leadership, though it is maintaining a low profile.

They are expecting that return of firebrand Uma Bharti could prove to be a game-changer in Madhya Pradesh politics and upset the applecart of Chouhan.

Meanwhile, the issue of Uma Bharti's return to BJP has also found strong support from senior party leaders Sumitra Mahajan and Kailash Joshi, who have asked the top leadership to bring her back. An idea that is anathema to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who sees a potential competitor in her for the post of Madhya Pradesh CM.