Khanduri breathes easy as rebels lie low

With Central BJP leaders against replacing Uttarakhand CM BC Khanduri, rebel party legislators are hoping to revive their plea for a change after the panchayat polls are over, reports Shekhar Iyer.

With Central BJP leaders against replacing Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri, rebel party legislators are hoping to revive their plea for a change after the panchayat polls are over in the state next month.

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On Monday, only one of the rebel ministers, Trivendra Singh Rawat, could meet LK Advani, who did not wish to meet the 25 MLAs who turned up in New Delhi to press for Khanduri’s exit. BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: “There are no plans for a change in leadership. The grievances of the MLAs have been heard at highest level and their points would be taken care.”

The rebels, however, claimed the support of 25 of the 36 MLAs. This includes four ministers. Khanduri, who became chief minister outbidding BS Koshiyari, is accused of being driven by the bureaucracy, despite being a “clean politician”.

The rebels say the MLAs’ interests are being ignored and Koshiyari is a better bet. Khanduri had to rush to Delhi to meet BJP chief Rajnath Singh on Sunday after the rebel MLAs complained against him.