Pioneer News Service/Lucknow
The Pioneer
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TitlBJP sees ray of hope Author: Pioneer News Service/Lucknow Publication: The Pioneer DatOctober 26, 2000 Union Surface Transport Minister Rajnath Singh was on Wednesday unanimously elected leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party Legislature Party after the outgoing Chief Minister Ram Prakash Gupta submitted his resignation to Governor Suraj Bhan. His name was proposed by Mr Gupta and seconded by State BJP president Kalraj Misra, Urban Development Minister Lalji Tandon, PWD and Irrigation Minister Om Prakash Singh and other senior leaders of the party. The meeting, which took place at the official residence of the Chief Minister, was conducted by central observer Narendra Modi. Significantly, for the first time in the history of the party, the half-an-hour legislature party meeting was an "open affair" and the media was invited. Mr Singh will be sworn in as the new Chief Minister on Oct 28. Speaking at the BJLP meet, Mr Singh said: "In three months you will see the difference in the functioning of the Government. The BJP will come back to power after the Assembly elections." Later, talking to newspersons, Mr Singh said a decision on the size of his Ministry would be taken only after consulting senior party leaders and his coalition partners. In reply to another question he expressed satisfaction over the law and order situation in the State but added that he would improve it further. He said that he would carry forward the work of his predecessor. The Chief Minister-designate, however, refused to accept that next month's urban local bodies elections would be a challenge for him, saying that the elections are a natural process to be faced by political parties. He evaded a direct reply to a question as to whether he would be visiting Ayodhya after the swearing-in, saying "we will meet after the function". Asked whether his Government would not be in trouble particularly with the reduced party strength in the Assembly after exit of at least 19 party MLAs to the new State of Uttaranchal, Mr Rajnath Singh said the "numbers" would not pose any problem for his Government. As to whether he would initiate financial discipline through austerity measures to arrest the bankrupt situation of the State, he said "let me first take the oath". In reply to a question about the "behaviour" of the coalition partners, the newly-appointed Chief Minister said he appreciated that the supporting parties never created "sankat" (trouble) for the party and now in fact "they are a mitra dal"(friendly party). The BJP national general secretary and observer for the BJLP election, Mr Narendra Modi, denied that there was a reaction among the backwards. He said the BJP gave adequate representation to all sections of society irrespective of forwards and backwards. In reply to a question he said the party had confidence in Mr Singh to lead the state. To another question he said a meeting of all the party MPs, MLAs and MLCs would be held in New Delhi on October 31 to take a decision on the Chief Minister of Uttaranchal. Earlier in the day the CM-designate was given a tumultuous welcome when he arrived in the morning at the Amausi airport. He straightway drove to attend the BJLP meeting at the CM's 5, Kalidas Marg residence. A large number of supporters cheered and garlanded him at his residence. The BJP allies have meanwhile welcomed the change in leadership of the state. The Loktantrik Congress party, Janata Dal (R), Jantantrik Bahujan Samaj party and Kisan Mazdoor Bahujan Samaj party have hailed the election of Mr Rajnath Singh as the leader of BJP Legislature party. The president of the Loktantrik Congress Party Mr Naresh Agarwal said there was no option for the BJP leadership but to choose Mr Rajnath Singh as the new chief minister. He said only Mr Singh can provide the effective leadership since Mr Ram Prakash Gupta wanted to step down due to his failing health. Mr Agarwal maintained that it was inaccurate to state that Mr Gupta has been removed for his image as weak chief minister. He said the installation of Rajnath Singh as chief minister would herald the new era in UP and create awareness about the achievements of the BJP led government. He claimed that the LCP was consulted by the BJP high command before it finalised the name of Mr Rajnath Singh to replace Mr Ram Prakash Gupta. Mr Agarwal said we have seen the leadership abilities of Mr Rajnath Singh when he was state president of the BJP. His regime as state president of the BJP was marked by harmony and good co-ordination with the allies and the BJP. In his leadership of the BJP led the alliance government will be strengthened and he would provide a new direction to the government, he added. The LCP leader said Mr Rajnath Singh as state president of the BJP always supported the demand for the constitution of a co-ordination committee comprising of all parties in the coalition government. He however said the LCP will not renew its demand for the setting up of co-ordination committee. Defending Mr Rajnath the LCP leader said it was not proper to evaluate any leaders on the basis of his caste alone. It is true that the state president of the BJP is a Brahmin and top two posts of civil servants the DGP and chief secretary are held by the officers from upper caste, but he is confident that Mr Singh would be able to provide a balanced leadership, said Mr Agarwal. Mr Agarwal said he was aware that the Vaishya community has been rattled by the `resignation' of Mr Gupta. The state government will take all possible measures for protecting the interests of the community, he said. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ofbjp.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A worldwide community of BJP's friends, supporters and activists: Friends of the BJP - Worldwid http://www.ofbjp.org/fob featuring Monthly Chat: Second Saturday of every month, 10 AM Eastern US time (calculate local time accordingly) ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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