Scapegoat MaharajIJ
The ensuing RS poll might prove the swansong for the formidable Thakur satrap and BJP leader Satpal Maharaj as far as his chief ministerial ambition is concerned. The BJP brass has kept things close to its chest so far. However, speculations are running wild in the saffron roost that the party high command is most likely to throw Maharaj in the biennial battle to take on Harish Rawat and his Congress. If things happen this way it would mean that the party strategists have dual motives. First, they would put to test the destabilising mettle of the redoubtable Thakur to win over MlAs from the Congress camp who are supposed to adore him as their mentor. If he succeeds he is most likely to end up as a strong contender for the CM’s chair in case BJP chances to form the next Government. And if he loses he would bow out of the CM race instantaneously. Those in the saffron party who are nurturing the same chief ministerial ambition want the high command to make the Thakur to throw hat in the ring so that things get closed once and for all for him. They are convinced that Maharaj would fail to wean away his loyal MlAs in the Congress to the saffron side. This is because of what happened during the crucial floor test. None of such MlAs took the plunge, leaving Maharaj out in the cold. However, contrastingly, the former CM Bhagat Singh Koshyari showed his mettle by bringing over at least one MlA from the Congress Rekha Arya from Someshwar to cross-vote. In case Maharaj fails to pull a rabbit or two out of his hat the advantage would lie with his rival Koshyari. People can remember both fell out on the issue of leadership when there were speculation of the saffron party forming a Government with the support of the rebel Congress lawmakers.
Biennial thorn
Barely a fortnight after dust has settled in the political realm of Uttarakhand, another acid test is staring the CM Harish Rawat in the face. It is Rajya Sabha election slated on June 11. The State Congress chief Kishore Upadhyay has already butted in his head in the fight, though things are still fluid. The possibility of the party high command parachuting an outsider cannot be ruled out either. Besides, PDF which has been backing the embattled CM through thick and thin is demanding its pound of flesh. Things remaining mired in murkiness, the PCC head’s claim can hardly be dismissed outright. He is the only leader with a measure of leadership credibility from Garhwal region after the exit of stalwarts like Vijay Bahuguna, Satpal Maharaj, Harak Singh Rawat and Subodh Uniyal. In case the leadership vacuum is allowed to remain BJP might dent into the Congress turf during the upcoming election, something that would make it difficult for the ruling party to romp back home. However, Kumaon region from which the CM hails might give him sleepless nights in the coming days too, as a cabinet minister from the same has started baring fangs. He is now dreaming to upstage Rawat. He says that the sting-tainted CM who is being summoned to Delhi by CBI off and on has ceased to carry conviction with the electorate. He also assails Rawat on his weakest point, citing that his pig-headed stubbornness has led to ten MlAs deserting the party in disgust. It means, there is hardly any respite for the CM. However, being a battle-hardened seasoned politician, he is likely to weather the storm with aplomb, claim his followers.