For a common observer, the utterances of laksar MlA Sanjay Gupta against the Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat might appear to be an emotional outburst coming straight from the heart of a neglected MlA, but for those who are acquainted with the currents and cross currents of the factional bickering within the state saffron camp can hardly be persuaded to take things as they appear.
The long-time state watchers are of the view that the camp inimical to the CM led by the former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is propping up such shows to damage the credibility of the CM. It is no secret that the laksar MlA is a close confidante of Nishank.
For his utterances against CM, the laksar MlA has been slapped with a show cause notice, but the outburst has brought into the open the factional fissures gnawing at the saffron party.
The MlA, known for his volubility and outspokenness, had sparked a row when he questioned the presence of CM in the marriage ceremony of the son of a former BSP MlA and local strongman Mohammad Shahjad. He had charged the CM with double dealing, finding time to relish Biryani with Shahjad and no time to hear out the party MlAs’ grievances. The statement caused ripples in the State party, resulting in the lawmaker being slapped with a show cause notice which asked him to reply in ten days.
Coming close on the heels of the row, Haridwar ( Rural) MlA, Yatishwaranad also questioned the preference being accorded to a leader ( read Madan Kaushik) in Haridwar district.
The utterances of these MlAs from Haridwar clearly indicate that the saffron politics in the district is sharply divided into warring camps, one loyal to Madan Kaushik and the other to Nishank. Madan Kaushik being considered a close confidante of the CM is being given a virtual carte blanche by CM Rawat in the matters pertaining to Haridwar district, the Nishank loyalists say .
It is learnt from reliable sources that it was Kaushik who, deemed close to the Shahjad, had taken the CM and a senior Cabinet Minister Prakash Pant to the residence of the former MlA.
Observers opine that by targeting Madan Kaushik, the Nishank camp is attacking the Chief Minister. “The objective of Nishank camp is to create an atmosphere when the BJP high command is forced to think whether to keep TSR at the helm of the Government. The aftermath of the infamous Uttara Bahuguna-CM showdown saw many followers of Nishank engaged in a virulent campaign against the CM. The camp has also roped in and unleashed a former vice -chairman of GMVN on CM Rawat who is working relentlessly on a single point agenda of showing the CM low,’’ said a BJP watcher.
Senior Journalist and political commentator Jai Singh Rawat, however, said that as long as Trivendra Singh Rawat enjoys the confidence of the party high command there is little chance for his detractors to pull him down. “The party enjoying a mammoth majority in the Assembly might work as a bulwark for the CM. There is no possibility of change of guard in the State in the foreseeable future,” he added.