BJP defers decision on MP leadership

New Delhi: With serious differences among senior party leaders on the issue of leadership change in Madhya Pradesh, BJP Central Parliamenatary Board on Saturday failed to arrive at a consensus and deferred a final decision on it.

"The political situation in Madhya Pradesh was discussed. The process of discussions is on and will continue. Whenever a final decision is taken, we will let you know", Party general secretary Arun Jaitley told reporters here after a marathon 90-meeting long meeting of the Board, chaired by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The meeting was attended among others by BJP president L K Advani and senior party leaders Jaswant Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sushma Swaraj, Pramod Mahajan and Sanjay Joshi.

Party vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu and general secretaries Rajnath Singh and Om Mathur, who are also members of the board, were not present during the meeting.

While Uma Bharti's supporters are demanding that a meeting of the legislature party be called to elect a new leader, almost the entire second generation leaders, except Rajnath Singh, are said to be opposed to her being made chief minister again.

The second generation leaders are apparently favouring the candidature of state BJP Chief Shivraj Singh Chauhan, who, however, is not known to command the loyalty of many legislators. Interestingly, Mahajan, Sanjay Joshi and Jaitley, who have been at odds with Bharti, arrived together 30 minutes before the scheduled meeting and are understood to have briefed the leadership about their case.

Advani is also reported to be personally 'soft' towards Bharti but is particular about a consensus on the issue.

Another obstacle Bharti is facing is from the RSS, whose wrath she earned after hitting out against its Joint General Secretary Suresh Soni.

Vajpayee had held discussions with both Advani and Jaswant Singh yesterday while Jaitley had series of discussions with party MPs from the state.

A meeting of BJP General Secretaries and other senior leaders had on Thursday decided to refer the Madhya Pradesh issue to the BJP Central Parliamentary Board.