Govindacharya in Lucknow
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, May 21 — The BJP high command today rushed party General Secretary K.N. Govindacharya to Lucknow to find a solution to the simmering political crisis in the Uttar Pradesh unit of the party.

The BJP central leadership is facing a fresh crisis as a result of the Chief Minister, Mr Kalyan Singh’s refusal to come to the Capital this morning.

Mr Kalyan Singh’s refusal is being seen as an act of defiance and that is why the party central leadership decided to send Mr Govindacharya to Lucknow again.

The party had summoned Mr Kalyan Singh, the state BJP President, Mr Rajnath Singh, the Urban Affairs Minister, Mr Lalji Tandon, and the PWD Minister, Mr Kalraj Mishra, to New Delhi for a patch-up meeting.

The meeting had to be put off as Mr Kalyan Singh was not willing to come to New Delhi and was reportedly insisting that before anything else disciplinary action should be taken against the dissidents who have been campaigning for his ouster for the past few weeks.

While in New Delhi, the party spokesman, Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu, said that the situation in UP was improving and the remaining problems would be resolved in the next few days.

After the resignation of the high profile corporator, Ms Kusum Rai from her controversial appointment as the chairperson of State’s Social Welfare Board, yesterday, Mr Govindacharya, who had briefed the party’s high command on the situation in UP, had indicated to mediapersons that a solution was within reach.

But Mr Kalyan Singh’s refusal has again deepened the crisis, the sources said.

Upon reaching Lucknow, Mr Govindacharya told mediapersons that he had come to continue discussions with the state leaders and dissidents to resolve the issue.

"I had not been able to meet some leaders during my visit here last week and I would continue my efforts to end the present stalemate", he said.

Meanwhile, the second visit of Mr Govindacharya is being considered important in the BJP circles in view of the fact that it immediately followed the resignation of Mrs Rai. The clout of Mrs Rai and her posting was also targeted by the dissidence group.

Mr Govindacharya, who had left Lucknow on May 16 last, had a meeting with Mrs Rai also. He had successfully persuaded the Chief Minister, not to participate in the much publicised Backwards rally much to the relief of the dissidents, who were opposing the rally.

According to party sources close to the Chief Minister the pro-Kalyan Singh lobby was particularly unhappy over the resignation of Mrs Rai.

Mr Govindacharya is also scheduled to meet Mr Rajendra Kumar Tiwari, a close aide to the Chief Minister, who was also in the eye of storm for his appointment as the Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Essential Commodities Corporation.

Mr Govindacharya is scheduled to meet Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, state BJP chief Rajnath Singh, Mr Kalraj Misra and Mr Lalji Tandon. He will stay here tomorrow also.

The senior BJP leader said he would comment on the entire issue after he had talks with all persons concerned. He hoped that an amicable solution to the problems of dissidence would come out very soon.