Search the Internet           Tips

Reduction in majority does not bother Rajnath Singh

The reduction of the Uttar Pradesh government's majority in the state assembly to just three members after the formation of the new hill state of Uttaranchal does not perturb Rajnath Singh, the chief minister-designate of Uttar Pradesh.

Uttaranchal would mean a loss of 17 legislators to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is heading the coalition in Uttar Pradesh. However, a confident Singh said, "I do not see any crisis arising on account of this segregation."

A majority of just three members means that the BJP would be at the mercy of its already overbearing allies.

Howver Singh, who was responsible for splitting the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party to form the BJP-led coalition, was unnerved by rumours of some allies establishing contact with the BJP's political foe, Samajwadi Party. "I have nothing to fear from my allies whom I consider as close friends," he said.

Praising the allies, who were quite familiar with his political acumen, Singh said, "I must confess that our allies have never created any crisis for us and I see no reason for them to do so in the days to come."

He declined to comment on the size of his ministry. "That would be decided only after consultations with state party leaders and the allies," he said.

Ruling out the possibility of a snap poll, Singh exuded confidence that the government would complete its full term. "This government is here to stay and complete its full term," Singh told mediapersons at Raj Bhawan shortly after being elected as leader of the BJP state legislature party.

Singh, who would formally assume office on October 28, promised to bring about a visible change in the state's governance. "You will witness a change in the next three months," he said.

Commenting on the law and order situation, he said, "Ram Prakash Gupta had done quite a bit to improve the state's law and order situation. Since he did not get enough time, there was still scope for improvement and I will accomplish the remaining task."

The BJP-led coalition that had been experiencing repeated hiccups ever since Ram Prakash Gupta was installed as chief minister in November last.

Singh expressed confidence that the BJP would do well in the coming urban local bodies' elections. Addressing party workers after being elected leader of the BJP legislature party, Singh sought to give the impression that all was well between him and arch rival Kalraj Mishra.

"There was a time when Kalraj Mishraji used to take me to participate in party activities on the pillion of his bicycle," he said, adding, "Now, it is time for me to reciprocate."

Much excitement was visible in the BJP rank and file as Rajnath Singh arrived in Lucknow on Wednesday morning. Singh was quiet but looked confident as he acknowledged the greetings of his supporters, who swarmed his Kalidas Marg residence throughout the day.

As Singh will be sworn in only on October 28, Ram Prakash Gupta will get the opportunity to celebrate Diwali in the chief minister's official residence. Gupta would relinquish office after completing exactly one year in office. He had assumed office two days after Diwali last year.

Earlier in the day, shortly after his arrival from New Delhi, Rajnath Singh drove down to the chief minister's official residence to attend the meeting of the state legislature party where the legislators formally elected him their leader.

Singh, state BJP chief Kalraj Mishra, BJP legislators and leaders of each of the five allies reached Raj Bhavan in the afternoon to hand over letters of support to Governor Suraj Bhan. While Mishra handed over the BJP resolution of electing Singh as the legislature party leader, the allies submitted letters extending support to Rajnath Singh.

ALSO SEE
UP governor accepts Ram Prakash Gupta's resignation

INTERVIEWS
'Gupta could not give the government proper direction'
There is no dissent in the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit: Rajnath Singh

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report