THE DENIAL of Vidhan Parishad nomination to Irrigation Minister Dr Mairajuddin Ahmad has created an embarrassing situation for the minister. Besides, resentment is brewing in the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) at Harpal Saini’s nomination. Saini, a new-comer to the party, had deserted the BSP nearly a fortnight ago to join the RLD.
Party sources said MP and chairperson of Irrigation Development and Flood Control Commission Anuradha Chaudhury had played the key role in dumping Dr Ahmad and favouring Saini. Dr Ahmad said, “I-have-made-sacrifice.” In fact, he had become a ‘laughing stock’ in the party. There is a general feeling in the party: He should resign.
When Munna Singh Chauhan was asked to resign from the ministry and Dr Ahmad inducted on March 5, the party had given indication of his nomination to the Upper House and continuation as minister, but within 12 days, the leadership decided to leave him in the lurch.
Now, he could continue as irrigation minister without being member of the either House for six months. “It is not a happy situation for him,” commented a senior party leader. As irrigation minister, he is unlikely to have free hand in the functioning of the department as Anuradha Chauhdury, chairman of the commission, has a firm grip on the department. As long as Munna Singh played second fiddle to Anuradha, there was no problem but when Singh started asserting himself, he was shown the door.
Moreover, the party was presumably wary of nominating both Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad candidates from minority community. It has fielded Jamiatul Ulema-e-Hind general secretary Mahmood Madni for Rajya Sabha. Madni, who had lost Lok Sabha election in 2004 from Amroha has emerged as party’s ‘Muslim face’ in the west. Hence, the party could afford to annoy Dr Ahmad. The party hopes that it would succeed in making base into backward community by sending Saini to Vidhan Parishad. The RLD, after making desperate efforts to widen its base in Poorvanchal and Bundelkhand regions, has now fallen back to western UP for survival.
{{/usCountry}}Moreover, the party was presumably wary of nominating both Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad candidates from minority community. It has fielded Jamiatul Ulema-e-Hind general secretary Mahmood Madni for Rajya Sabha. Madni, who had lost Lok Sabha election in 2004 from Amroha has emerged as party’s ‘Muslim face’ in the west. Hence, the party could afford to annoy Dr Ahmad. The party hopes that it would succeed in making base into backward community by sending Saini to Vidhan Parishad. The RLD, after making desperate efforts to widen its base in Poorvanchal and Bundelkhand regions, has now fallen back to western UP for survival.
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