The BJP's problems, it seems, simply refuse to go away. While the dust has not yet settled over Jaswant Singh row and Arun Shourie's criticism, another party leader is now questioning the party's leadership.
Former chief minister of Uttrakhand BC Khanduri, who stepped down after the BJP's worst performance ever in the state during the last Lok Sabha polls, now wants to know why he is being singled out?
In a note sent to BJP leaders, Khanduri has questioned the party's decision asking why he was removed from the chief minister's post. He claims that he was made a scapegoat and wants the BJP leadership to rethink his removal.
"I am repeatedly telling you according to me I don't want to cross the line. The people I have written to or not written to, only they have a right to discuss this," Khanduri said.
But senior BJP leader B S Koshiyari says: "Now there is no question. Earlier when he was resigning, at that time he should have spoken out. I don't think he should say anything now."
Khanduri's outburst comes just a day after Vasundhra Raje Scindia refused to resign despite being asked by BJP president Rajnath Singh.
She in fact had a meeting of her MLAs on Wednesday morning, which, according to the sources, was opposed by the party.
The rebellion has an interesting pattern -- Most of those speaking against the party leadership, Khanduri, Jaswant, Shourie, Yashwant Sinha, are all considered close to Vajpayee.
So, why are all Vajpayee men rebelling? May be because they are marginalised and because their options in the party are receding.
There also seems to be an attempt to get the Sangh to endorse the rebellion. So, Shourie, in an exclusive interview to NDTV, asked the RSS to take over.
It's too early to say what if any action will be taken against the rebels. It seems Jaswant Singh got the brunt of it; the others, for now, are getting away lightly.
