Raje's critics hit back as feud continues in BJP

Jaipur: In continued bickerings in Rajasthan BJP, in-house critics of the leader of the opposition Vasundhara Raje on Monday hit back at her camp demanding action against the MLAs who had offered to resign in solidarity with her threat to quit the party during the standoff with party veteran Gulabchand Kataria.

On the other hand, Raje appeared to have piped down as she issued an appeal to her supporters in the party to stop the resignation spree and sought to play down the feud in the party's state unit saying in a statement that it was an

internal matter and will be resolved.

BJP general secretary Kaptan Singh Solanki, incharge of party affairs in the state, said the party central leadership has taken a serious note of the resignation spree by some MLAs in solidarity with Raje and may consider disciplinary action against some of the legislators.

"The MLAs resignations were unnecessary and uncalled for. The party high command has taken seriously the entire matter and action against some of them may be considered," Solanki said on phone.

He said he has asked from the state party chief to furnish the status of resignations and give details of the matter. "Some of the MLAs acted in an irresponsible manner and against the spirit of the party," he said.

Raje had objected to a proposed state-wide yatra by Kataria, at a core committee meeting which was called on Saturday to take a decision on the 28-day campaign in Udaipur division.

Kataria's yatra was seen as his tactic to project himself as the party s face for leadership in next assembly polls in the state due next year but it was resented by Raje.

She had walked out of Saturday's core committee meeting and said she would quit the party if Kataria did not change his decision. Kataria later withdrew his move to embark on the yatra.

Even though Kataria announced withdrawal of his yatra, MLAs and party leaders loyal to Raje started sending their resignations to her showing confidence in her leadership.

Sources said the party would seek clarification from the MLAs on the resignation matter and disciplinary action may be taken against some of them, depending upon their clarifications.

They said the party central leadership was also seeking details of public statements by the the leaders, including MLAs Bhawani Singh Rajawat and Rohitash Kumar.

Solanki said the matter should have ended after last Saturday's meeting and "there was no need for doing such things (resignations)".

BJP state President Arun Chaturvedi said he has not received any resignation so far.

Raje opponents Chaturvedi and some other BJP leaders, including former state president Latlit Kishore Chaturvedi, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Ghanshyam Tiwari, Kataria held an informal meeting at the residence of former MP of Rajya Sabha, Ramdas Agrawal, this evening and discussed the issue.

Chaturvedi alleged the behavior of the party MLAs who submitted their resignations and gave statements was "indiscipline" and action should be taken against them.

"In my personal opinion, action against all those who are showing indiscipline should be taken immediately. I suggested the state president Arun Chaturvedi to call all such MLAs and ask about their so-called resignations," he said.

"The MLAs should come clear about the status of their resignation. If they are really serious, why don't they forward their resignations to the party's leadership," he said.

On the other hand, a few more MLAs and other party members offered their resignations taking the total number of such legislators to 61.

Jailed MLA Rajendra Rathore also sent his resignation on Monday, said an aide of Raje.