A poaching game has virtually begun in the Uttarakhand politics. If the ruling Congress is trying to win over BJP MLAs in a bid to strengthen its position in the hill state, the main Opposition BJP is working on Independents and BSP MLAs, in an effort to destablise the government.
The BJP had lost power to the Congress in the recent Assembly polls by just one Assembly seat.
Sources disclosed, with the Congress looking for a safe seat for its chief minister Vijay Bahuguna to enter the state Assembly, the ruling party has managed to persuade some BJP MLAs to vacate their seat. On the other hand, the BJP is finding it tough to poach upon two Independent MLAs and BSP MLAs, who it claims are sulking as they have not been accommodated in the power positions. The BJP, it is learnt, is also trying to convince some Congress MLAs to join the saffron party.
Speculation is rife that BJP MLAs from Sitarganj, Yamkeshwar, Bhimtal and Lansdowne are likely to switch over. Even though the BJP central leadership has intervened in the matter, these MLAs are in constant touch with the Congress, sources said. The Congress, it is learnt, has promised them a prominent position in the state commissions.
Sources in the BJP’s state unit said senior leaders, including B.C. Khanduri, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Bishan Singh Chaufal, have been tasked by the Central leadership to win over MLAs from the “other side”. The BJP, it is learnt, is also desperately trying to persuade those Congress MLAs who were earlier with the saffron party. The Uttarakhand Assembly has a strength of 70 members, with the Congress having 32 seats against the BJP’s 31. Three BSP, one Uttarakhand Kranti Dal MLA and three Independent MLAs are supporting the Congress government.
The BJP, which was confident that it will keep its flock together despite losing the Assembly polls, had earlier decided to field its former CM, Mr Khanduri, against CM Vijay Bahuguna.