Kalyan to propose Gupta’s name
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Nov 10 — The BJP today dismissed reports about a possible revolt by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Kalyan Singh, as "speculation" and expressed the confidence that there would be smooth sailing for the next Government headed by Mr Ram Prakash Gupta.

The UP BJP Legislature Party would meet tomorrow morning at Lucknow to formally elect a leader in place of Mr Kalyan Singh, who has offered to resign from leadership of the party, the party spokesman, Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu, told newspersons here.

The party President, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, and the party General Secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh, Mr K.N. Govindacharya, would be attending the legislature party meeting, Mr Naidu added.

Once the leader is elected, the party would consult its allies in Uttar Pradesh and thereafter convey the decision to the State Governor, he added. The process of formation of the next Government and the swearing-in of the Chief Minister would be done subsequently.

Mr Kalyan Singh’s delay in submitting his resignation was no cause for concern for the party with Mr Naidu maintaining that the Chief Minister would resign at an appropriate time.

He said the party leadership had taken Mr Kalyan Singh into confidence before taking the decision to replace him and they were in constant touch with him.

Meanwhile, party sources said Mr Kalyan Singh today conveyed to the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, that he would submit his resignation to the State Governor in a day or two.

Mr Kalyan Singh also indicated that he himself would propose the name of Mr Ram Prakash Gupta to the BJP legislature party at its meeting tomorrow.

The Chief Minister said he had already conveyed his decision to demit office to the Governor and the assembly Speaker.

Mr Naidu said there was no factionalism within the UP unit of the BJP and he was confident that the Chief Minister-designate, Mr Gupta, would be able to take the party and the allies along with him.

Mr Gupta is a senior member of the party with vast understanding of the party and the State and under his leadership there would be smooth sailing for the Government, he added.

Mr Naidu said the corrective steps proposed by the National Executive of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh was a continuous process and the change in leadership was only one of them.

When asked if the party intended to undertake other organisational changes, Mr Naidu quipped, "We will inform you as and when we do that".

On Mr Kalyan Singh’s remarks that the BJP’s strength in the present Lok Sabha had not improved despite the party projecting Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee as its unanimous leader, Mr Naidu said it was not a correct assessment.

He pointed out that the National Executive after analysing the results of the general election had come to the conclusion that the 182 seats won by the BJP, the same as last time, was an improvement over the previous general election as the party had contested fewer number of seats this time. The other parties in the National Democratic Alliance had contested more seats this time, he added.

Mr Gupta also expressed optimism that a Government headed by him would have smooth sailing and he would strive to keep the alliance and the party together.

Mr Gupta, who has been camping in the Capital since last evening, held three rounds of meetings with the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, and other senior party leaders, including Mr Thakre.

Speaking to mediapersons after a meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Gupta said he did not apprehend any problem with the allies as all leaders were his friends.

He said the party under his leadership would remain united and they would all work together.

On Mr Kalyan Singh’s remarks that the BJP by putting the three contentious issues, including the Ram temple at Ayodhya, Article 370 and common civil code, on the backburner had suffered during the elections, Mr Gupta said it was the Chief Minister’s viewpoint.

Mr Gupta said he did not apprehend any trouble from the three State leaders, Mr Kalraj Mishra, Mr Lalji Tandon and the UP BJP President, Mr Rajnath Singh, as they were his juniors in politics.