Moving Bhandari out of UP is only way out of crisis

Tara Shankar Sahay in Delhi

The United Front government is likely to move Uttar Pradesh Governor Romesh Bhandari out of the state before the crucial debate on his conduct is put to vote in the Lok Sabha.

A senior UF leader confirmed that Deve Gowda will shift Bhandari to a gubernatorial position in another state. The prime minister is aware that the Communist members of his alliance are adamant that Bhandari should be moved out of UP.

Deve Gowda also knows that in case a vote on the Bharatiya Janata Party- sponsored motion takes place, his government would be placed in an extremely embarrassing position. The Communists have indicated that they may vote in favour of the motion seeking Bhandari's recall. There are 51 Communist MPs in the Lok Sabha.

The Congress has also indicated that it is dissatisfied with Bhandari's performance. Only Samajwadi Party chief and Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is keen on Bhandari's continuance at the helm of the administration in India's most populous state.

In Lucknow, most observers believe Bhandari is close to Yadav. A belief that gained credence with the Union minister's spirited defence of the governor's conduct after Home Minister Indrajit Gupta condemned the deteriorating law and order situation in the state last week in Parliament.

The Communist Party of India's national executive instructed Gupta earlier this week to take up the issue of Bhandari's removal with the prime minister. It was only after Thursday's events in the Lok Sabha,. however, that the government was galvanised into action.

Soon after Speaker Purno A Sangma's ruling, Deve Gowda met with senior Cabinet colleagues including Mulayam Singh. After the prime minister explained the scenario to the SP chief, Mulayam Singh finally agreed to Bhandari's exit from UP.

Mulayam Singh has suggested that Bhandari be moved to Rajasthan where a BJP government is in power.

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