BHOPAL, 22 February 2004 — The right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which seized power in Madhya Pradesh after decimating Congress recently is all set to execute another coup of sorts and further humiliate former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh who ruled the state for a decade.
The beleaguered Congress in Madhya Pradesh is set to receive another jolt as younger brother of Digvijay Singh and member of Parliament from Rajgarh in the dissolved Lok Sabha, Laxman Singh will be joining the BJP in the next few days. A formal announcement to this effect will be made after modalities are worked out with the BJP central leadership for receiving the ‘prize catch’ in the partyfold.
Digvijay Singh is at pains to come to terms to the new unpalatable situation. He tearfully told newsmen that it was all finished for him. He said Laxman Singh’s decision would have tremendous bearing on his credibility within the party. “I tried my best. But he seems to have made up his mind. This parting is very painful,” he moaned.
Sources close to Singh said that his wife Asha Singh talked to Laxman Singh quite a few times in a bid to change his mind but failed and for the past 24 hours he is not even traceable. They further said that Laxman Singh felt that he would not be able to retain the Rajgarh seat on the Congress ticket.
The top BJP leaders in the state have also confirmed the news of Laxman Singh joining the BJP. “Yes, he has decided to join the BJP but it will take a few days before he formally makes an announcement to this effect”, said a senior BJP leader at the party’s state headquarters.
