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Why Bhan was shunted

The sudden removal of Uttar Pradesh Governor Suraj Bhan has raised many eyebrows in Lucknow. Political circles were agog with speculation whether the decision was taken by Chief Minister Rajnath Singh or forced upon him by Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati.

Bhan will exchange places with Himachal Pradesh Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri.

Political analysts believe that the traditionally upper caste Hindu-dominated Bharatiya Janata Party was either targeting upper caste votes, or it was out to woo Mayawati, who saw Bhan, a dalit, as a threat.

Bhan supporters believe that his assertive style of working alarmed the BJP leadership. While former chief minister Kalyan Singh had often raised objections against the governor's 'activism', Rajnath thought it best to have Bhan out of the way before any confrontation.

Bhan asserted, "I have never believed in being a ceremonial figure."

He took up tasks which no governor had - be it reforms in universities, including streamlining academic calendars and appointment of vice chancellors, or pointing out bunglings in implementation of dalit welfare schemes. His divisional-level meetings to get feedback on the state's development caused heartburns between him and Kalyan Singh.

Bhan's became more emphatic and open about his strong dalit agenda after Kalyan's ouster.

He started a campaign against large-scale misappropriation of funds for dalit welfare and took it up with President K R Narayanan, who promptly set up a seven-member committee of governors to look into it.

This was followed by whole-hearted patronage to a new dalit outfit of senior bureaucrats, police officers and other government employees, Rashtriya Arakshit Adhikari Evam Karamchari Mahasangh [National Federation of Reserved Category Employees].

While BJP sources were tight-lipped about the reasons behind the sudden move, political observers feel it had something to do with an "underhand deal" between the BJP and BSP.

Bhan supporters say it was done to appease Mayawati, who had sought his head as a pre-condition for an alliance with the BJP. Mayawati often declared her reservations about Bhan. She often alleged, "Bhan has been brought to counter my influence over dalits but it will have no effect on my following."

Even on Friday, after news of his removal, Bhan took the opportunity to recapitulate all he had done for dalit welfare since his student days in Punjab. "I started my mission long ago," he said, narrating how he had once brought a bill in the Lok Sabha seeking enactment of a law for implementation of reservations.

"The bill was defeated as my party was not in a majority, but it did make an impact as it was followed with the constitution of a parliamentary committee on scheduled castes and scheduled tribes."

On what led to his shifting, he told ridiff.com, "How do I know? I had no prior inkling," but added, "frankly, I am happier to be closer to my home in Haryana. And since I know Himachal Pradesh like the palm of my hand, it won't be difficult for me to pursue my agenda there."

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