The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sajjan Kumar losing his political clout?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 10, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Sajjan Kumar losing his political clout?

Sujay Mehdudia

Outer Delhi strongman facing `revolt' from loyalist MLAs Outer Delhi strongman facing `revolt' from loyalist MLAs

Senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar

NEW DELHI: With a question mark hanging over their political future, the veterans in the Delhi Congress are faced with increasing pressure from the emerging young leaders who are threatening to derail their agenda. The latest victim of this development is the Outer Delhi MP Sajjan Kumar who is faced with revolt from his loyalist MLAs and the prospect of a declining clout in city politics.

Political observers here are of the view that the recent developments within the Congress in the Capital clearly indicate that the one-time strongman of Delhi Mr. Kumar is losing his clout and hold over the party as well as his MLAs. The sharp political manoeuvres by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who used Mr. Kumar to neutralise her rivals, and the strong emergence of Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken on the political scene of Delhi has certainly marginalised such leaders and their hold.

Observers feel the latest incident of Delhi Food and Supplies Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan raising a banner of revolt against the `dictatorial attitude' of his one-time mentor Mr. Kumar is a clear indication of the growing unrest against the Jat leader from Outer Delhi. Coupled with this, the changing profile of constituencies after the implementation of the Delimitation Commission report on Lok Sabha seats will leave Mr. Kumar with little choice, putting a question mark over his political future.

What has been the most interesting aspect of this `latest revolt' is that another close aide and one-time loyalist of Mr. Kumar, Hastsal MLA Mukesh Sharma along with another loyalist Surinder Kumar supported the point of view projected by Mr. Chauhan in the presence of the Chief Minister. This is probably for the first time that Mr. Kumar has faced such a serious threat to his position. Another senior Congress MLA and one time loyalist Jai Kishen is also not on good terms with Mr. Kumar.

The common grievance of these people is that Mr. Kumar is trying to gain at their expense by projecting as if he was doing all the developmental works.

"Mr. Kumar is trying to bulldoze MLAs and run a parallel administration. He is trying to woo the Chief Minister as well as be on the right side of DPCC president Ram Babu Sharma. His actions of supporting tainted people like the former MLAs Ram Singh and Sishpal and tussle with Opposition MLAs on petty issues has harmed his image," a senior MLA remarked.

However, Mr. Kumar, known to be strongly opposed to Mr. Maken, has been shaken by the emergence of this young leader and his growing equation with the Congress leadership.

Many within the party feel that Mr. Kumar is unable to digest the success of Mr. Maken and his elevation to the Union Cabinet.

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