Bjp-Bsp Joint Panel Runs Into Rough Weather

Vajpayees formula for better ties may fall through at party meet

Relations between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) could worsen in Uttar Pradesh after next Sundays meeting of BJP office-bearers.

Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is understood to have discussed with BSP leaders the possibility of the two parties forming a state-level coordination committee, but the idea is likely to face stiff opposition at Sundays meeting.

A senior BJP leader held that forming such a committee would be meaningful only if the BSP agreed in writing to an electoral understanding with the BJP for the next Lok Sabha elections. Sundays meeting would not achieve much in the absence of such a commitment from the BSP, he added.

These leaders, who seem to have the silent backing of party president LK Advani, argue that the party should not allow Kalyan Singhs hands to be tied unless it can gain a significant political advantage. They argue further that, even if the coalition breaks, Kalyan Singh would remain the caretaker chief minister.

If this attitude prevails, it is likely to cast a shadow over the dinner meeting between senior BJP and BSP leaders which is to take place at Vajpayees residence that day.

The dinner is an extension of the inconclusive meeting of September 30.

Vajpayee suggested the committee as an answer to the complaints of former chief minister Mayawati and BSP chief Kanshi Ram that the BJP government led by Chief Minister Kalyan Singh was slighting their party.

They argued that Singh should take the BSPs views into considerations while taking any major policy decision.

The partys Uttar Pradesh unit has openly opposed the idea on the ground that no such committee existed when Mayawati was in power. Kalyan Singh has said openly that there is no need for the committee as there was no communication gap between the two parties.

State BJP president Rajnath Singh and MLAs loyal to Kalyan Singh have also opposed the idea.

under Singh Bhandari, who is in charge of Uttar Pradesh for the party, has also opposed the concept of a state-level coordination committee. Other central leaders back Bhandaris line.

They argue that Singh should be given a free hand to deal with the state. And there is already a central coordination committee comprising party president Advani, Vajpayee and Kanshi Ram, they add.

Even if the committee was formed, it would become non-functional because of the state units opposition to it, a senior BJP leader said. The national leadership cannot impose something from above, he held.

He disclosed that there were some ministers in the state who would agree to the idea of forming the committee because of their vested interest in keeping the coalition going. But this would be harmful to the partys long-term political interests.

These ministers were powerful during Mayawatis chief ministership but have been ignored by Singh.

The coordination committee could give them more power, he added.