BJP bid to defuse Uma fix

The BJP has stepped up its efforts to defuse the crisis building up in its Madhya Pradesh unit. In response to the demand of Uma Bharati's camp to hold a meeting of the party MLAs after Bihar election, BJP General Secretary Sanjay Joshi has called for a discussions with party MLAs tomorrow.

Uma loyalists, who claim a support of over 100 MLAs want a change of guard in the state. They plan to launch the second part of their "oust (Chief Minister Babulal) Gaur movement" in New Delhi after November 18. BJP insiders believe that though much will depend upon the outcome of the meeting Joshi has called, but change of guard in MP is imminent."

Some ministers, too, have been given the task of winning back the rebel MLAs to defuse the situation in the state.

"Most of the MLAs have assured the ministers that they would not malign the party image," party sources said adding, "Deepak Joshi, an MLA and son of party veteran and state-in-charge Kailash Joshi, has also promised to stick to the party line."

Deepak had recently supported Uma camp's demand for a "Vidhayak Dal" meet.

Meanwhile, the BJP has postponed its campaign against the UPA government's alleged involvement in UN oil-for-food-programme scandal in the state, by another two days. The BJP is launching a campaign on October 8 to press for its demand of initiating a CBI probe in the scandal.

BJP insiders believe that though much will depend upon the outcome of the meeting, but change of guard in MP is imminent."

State BJP sources also said select ministers had been given the task of winning back the support of the rebel MLAs (more than 100 according to claims made by the Uma camp). "Most of the MLAs have assured the ministers that they would not malign the party image," the sources said adding, "Deepak Joshi, an MLA and son of party veteran and state-in-charge Kailash Joshi, has also promised to stick to the party line."

Deepak had recently supported Uma camp's demand for a "Vidhayak Dal" meet.