The Hindu : New Delhi News : They wanted beacon lights, got a raw deal instead

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Thursday, Oct 16, 2008
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They wanted beacon lights, got a raw deal instead

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

BSP leaders who had switched loyalties and joined Congress

‘I have been promised a Delhi Assembly ticket from Karawal Nagar’
Congress leaders insist the former BSP leaders do not carry much weight

NEW DELHI: For the disgruntled Bahujan Samaj Party workers and leaders who had switched loyalties and joined the Congress at a show organised at Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s residence here last month, the new relationship has soured even before it could blossom.

Talking to The Hindu on Wednesday, Jageram Bhati said the Congress leaders had not kept their side of the bargain and dumped the BSP leaders unceremoniously. Though at the press conference organised at Ms. Dikshit’s residence it was stated that nothing had been promised to the BSP leaders, Mr. Bhati said: “While I have been promised a Delhi Assembly ticket from Karawal Nagar, my supporters had been promised four posts of chairmen of various committees.”

What appears to have hurt the former BSP leaders – who had openly and virulently attacked party supremo Mayawati in the hope of getting a good “bargain” – is that with the announcement of the date for the Delhi Assembly polls by the Election Commission on Tuesday, the posts of chairmen cannot come their way. “Not only will we not be getting cars with `lal battis’ (beacon lights), I am even not sure about the Assembly ticket now as the Chief Minister appears non-committal on even that,” said Mr. Bhati.

Mr. Bhati said the Congress leaders had not treated him and his supporters well. “Even on joining the party, while we were insisting that the programme be held at Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters, some leaders said having it at the Chief Minister’s residence would be equally good. But now we feel neglected.”

Underlying tone

While the underlying tone is that the Congress could suffer on account of its actions, the party leaders insist the former BSP leaders do not carry much weight.

A senior party leader said Mr. Bhati all along was probably demanding more than what he deserved.

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