BJP's nightmare continues in Rajasthan

Syed Firdaus Ashraf in Delhi

"A situation like Gujarat will not develop in Rajasthan," the Bharatiya Janata Party's Rajasthan president, Ram Das Agarwal, told Rediff On The NeT on Tuesday.

The BJP was stunned on Monday when Punja Lal, minister of state for irrigation, resigned from the Bhairon Singh Shekhawat ministry in the north-western state, in protest against the chief minister's style of functioning.

Punja Lal claimed that more than half the BJP's legislators in Rajasthan were frustrated by Shekhawat's leadership and manner.

His statements echoed Shankarsinh Vaghela when he revolted against then Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel. Eventually, Vaghela was expelled from the party, splitting the BJP in Gujarat and leading to the fall of its government.

Shekhawat, who travelled to the US last month for his second bypass surgery, will return to India early on Wednesday.

Agarwal claimed Punja Lal has no support in the state BJP legislature party. "He was in the Janata Dal before joining the BJP in 1994. His resignation won't affect the party in Rajasthan," the BJP leader claimed.

The BJP has 101 MLAs in the 200-member Rajasthan assembly. It also enjoys the support of 15 independent legislators. Punja will need the support of 33 legislators if he wants to split the BJP legislature party in the state. So far only two legislators have supported him -- Gopichand Gujjar and Rewat Ram Panwar.

Gujjar, another BJP rebel, had criticised Shekhawat last year. After the BJP initiated action against him, Gujjar apologised to the party leadership and was re-inducted into the fold.

Punja Lal's resignation comes a week after BJP president Lal Kishinchand Advani told a press conference in Delhi that indiscipline will not be tolerated in the party.

Asked what disciplinary action would be taken against Punja Lal, BJP spokesperson Yashwant Sinha said, "Mr Punja Lal's resignation letter was addressed to the chief minister. After Mr Shekhawat arrives, we will decide our future course of action."

Shekhawat has come under fire before, notably from ministers who owe their allegiance to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. This is the first time he has come under attack from a more liberal faction of the BJP.