Other States - Rajasthan   

New alignments shaping up

Sunny Sebastian

With several party posts up for grabs, regional satraps get into the act

Jaswant Singh, full of plans.

JAIPUR: The prevailing uncertainty in the Bharatiya Janata Party, both in the State and at the national level, is seemingly prompting the party leadership in Rajasthan to try out new alignments. The State leaders are still at a loss to decipher the likely impact a new national president - who will take over once L.K. Advani, steps down by December -- would have on the party organisation here, but the regional satraps are already flexing their muscles.

Senior leader and former Union Minister Jaswant Singh is presently on an extended tour of western Rajasthan - something he has never contemplated in the past. Earlier Mr. Singh's arrivals to and departures from his home State mostly remained a private affair, but this time he has announced a nine-day programme, starting with him meeting party workers in Jodhpur on Thursday.Mr. Singh's itinerary includes addressing a workers' meeting in Jodhpur on Friday and attending programmes in his village, Jassol in Barmer and addressing a public meeting in Barmer town during the weekend. He is scheduled to meet party workers in Jaisalmer and at Pokhran and Balesar towns in the area. On his return journey to Delhi Mr. Singh is scheduled to have a stop over in Jaipur, again to address party workers. Even while party sources in Jodhpur tried to explain the new initiatives by Mr. Singh as routine work, political circles here are mulling over the likely reasons for the sudden spurt of enthusiasm. This despite Mr. Singh telling journalists on Thursday that he had no plan to get active in State politics.

The decision by the State unit president, Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi, to join Mr. Singh on the tour has added a new dimension in the faction-ridden party here. Mr. Chaturvedi, who has fallen out with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje lately, cannot claim any serious past association with Mr. Singh. As for the post of the State unit chief, Mr. Chaturvedi -- also a Rajya Sabha member -- is keen on a re-nomination. Former president Ramdas Agarwal, who about a month back announced his decision to get more active in Rajasthan politics, is also said to be an aspirant. Other names mentioned in this connection include that of Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria and a former MP, Mahesh Sharma.

Though nobody is openly talking about it, there is some speculation over Ms. Raje being considered Mr. Advani's successor. In that case the positions up for grabs would also include that of the Rajasthan Chief Minister. Asked about her inclination if the post is offered, Ms. Raje quipped: "I am not going to answer that."

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New alignments shaping up

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