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Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
The tension is palpable in the Samata Party with its activists asserting on Saturday that the survival of the National Democratic Alliance government could be jeopardised if Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee denies senior party politician George Fernandes the defence portfolio.
"As far as we are concerned, nobody but Fernandes Sahib will be the new defence minister. Everything else is speculation," said Samata spokesman Shambhu Srivastava.
The prime minister had indicated on Friday that he would effect a minor reshuffle of his Cabinet on Monday.
That seems to have sent the Samata Party's 'blood pressure' soaring since they consider Fernandes the strongest contender for the defence portfolio.
Ever since he relinquished the ministry in the wake of the Tehelka scandal, Fernandes has never abandoned the hope of regaining it.
Srivastava pointed out that Fernandes had resigned only after a categorical assurance from Vajpayee and Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani that he would get it back.
But some media reports have suggested that Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Krishan Chandra Pant is now a frontrunner for the crucial ministry.
Significantly, both Fernandes and Pant met Vajpayee on Friday after which he indicated that he would reshuffle the Cabinet.
"They are fighting a war of nerves which is inherent in any political tussle," said senior Bharatiya Janata Party politician Jagdish Prasad Mathur, referring to the 'race' to grab the portfolio.
While declining to predict the winner of this race, Mathur said, "The advantage will go to those who have nerves of steel and political wisdom."
Pant, who was defence minister in the Congress government of the late Rajiv Gandhi, appears to have satisfied Vajpayee with his role as the government's interlocutor in Kashmir.
BJP politicians, who also seem to be backing Pant's candidature, hope the prime minister will keep Fernandes out because the Justice Venkataswami Commission probing the Tehelka scandal is still to complete its work.
But Fernandes and his supporters have minced no words in telling Vajpayee that if he is deprived of the defence portfolio this time around, they will raise the banner of revolt.
How seriously Vajpayee has taken this threat remains to be seen.
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