Power Games: Scindia, Vijayvargiya join hands to promote heirs

Family First
Scindia, Vijayvargiya join hands to promote heirs

A newfound bonhomie between arch-rivals Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kailash Vijayvargiya has had the Madhya Pradesh political watchers racking their brains to figure out the reason for this realignment. Supporters of the two leaders had earlier come to blows when Vijayvargiya first challenged Scindia in the election for the post of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) president. The clash between the two groups was so fierce that the police resorted to lathi charge to help the authorities conduct the election. Scindia defeated Vijayvargiya. They have since remained at loggerheads. But developments in the last two weeks have baffled all. During an MPCA award ceremony at Indore earlier this month, Scindia surprised the who’s who of the state’s cricketing and political fraternity present on the occasion by walking down the dais to bring Vijayvargiya, who was sitting in the audience, onto the stage. Scindia along with his son Mahanaryaman also went for lunch at Vijayvargiya’s residence at Indore.

While initially their new equation was seen as the emergence of an axis within the state BJP, informed sources say the two leaders have decided to work together in the interest of their heirs. Scindia’s son Mahanaryaman was recently appointed vice-president of the Gwalior Division Cricket Association. Scindia wants him to take over from him as the head of MPCA. For this, he needs the support of Vijayvargiya. For Vijayvargiya, who has been sidelined in the party, joining hands with Scindia would ensure the re-election of his son Akash as an MLA from Indore. The Scindias wield considerable clout in Indore by virtue of their close ties with the widely-respected Holkar royal family of Indore. State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has heaved a sigh of relief on learning that the new alliance is not a ploy to target his chair. Both Scindia and Vijayvargiya are contenders for the post of chief minister.

Karnataka Elections
BJP sees red as Yediyurappa plays truant

The BJP’s first chief minister in south India, B S Yediyurappa, is not amused by the central leadership’s decision to appoint him to the parliamentary board. He has been trying to persuade the central leaders to appoint his son B S Vijayendra as a minister in the state government. The party leadership has refused to oblige. He has reportedly been told that his son would be made deputy chief minister if he helps the party return to power. Yediyurappa says when his son is not being made a minister now, what is the guarantee that he would be made a deputy chief minister later? At one point he was so disappointed by the party’s continued efforts to sideline him that he announced retirement from politics.

Last year, he was asked to step down as the chief minister of Karnataka as the party felt his government had become unpopular and it may not be able to return to power under his leadership. The party’s electoral fortunes have, however, failed to change even after his exit. Yediyurappa is by far the most popular leader among Karnataka’s numerically strong Lingayat community which has largely supported the BJP over the years. This has forced the party to bring him back to a position of prominence.

Sources said Yediyurappa continues to sulk as he and his family have been kept away from power politics and forced to live on the margins. Efforts are on by the party to persuade their Lingayat strongman. The fact that the party now realises his importance was also evident when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to Mangaluru, called Yediyurappa to the dais when he saw him sitting in the audience. Party’s overtures notwithstanding, BSY appears in no mood to bring back a government in which he and his family would have no role to play.

Family First Scindia, Vijayvargiya join hands to promote heirs A newfound bonhomie between arch-rivals Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kailash Vijayvargiya has had the Madhya Pradesh political watchers racking their brains to figure out the reason for this realignment. Supporters of the two leaders had earlier come to blows when Vijayvargiya first challenged Scindia in the election for the post of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) president. The clash between the two groups was so fierce that the police resorted to lathi charge to help the authorities conduct the election. Scindia defeated Vijayvargiya. They have since remained at loggerheads. But developments in the last two weeks have baffled all. During an MPCA award ceremony at Indore earlier this month, Scindia surprised the who’s who of the state’s cricketing and political fraternity present on the occasion by walking down the dais to bring Vijayvargiya, who was sitting in the audience, onto the stage. Scindia along with his son Mahanaryaman also went for lunch at Vijayvargiya’s residence at Indore. While initially their new equation was seen as the emergence of an axis within the state BJP, informed sources say the two leaders have decided to work together in the interest of their heirs. Scindia’s son Mahanaryaman was recently appointed vice-president of the Gwalior Division Cricket Association. Scindia wants him to take over from him as the head of MPCA. For this, he needs the support of Vijayvargiya. For Vijayvargiya, who has been sidelined in the party, joining hands with Scindia would ensure the re-election of his son Akash as an MLA from Indore. The Scindias wield considerable clout in Indore by virtue of their close ties with the widely-respected Holkar royal family of Indore. State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has heaved a sigh of relief on learning that the new alliance is not a ploy to target his chair. Both Scindia and Vijayvargiya are contenders for the post of chief minister. Karnataka Elections BJP sees red as Yediyurappa plays truant The BJP’s first chief minister in south India, B S Yediyurappa, is not amused by the central leadership’s decision to appoint him to the parliamentary board. He has been trying to persuade the central leaders to appoint his son B S Vijayendra as a minister in the state government. The party leadership has refused to oblige. He has reportedly been told that his son would be made deputy chief minister if he helps the party return to power. Yediyurappa says when his son is not being made a minister now, what is the guarantee that he would be made a deputy chief minister later? At one point he was so disappointed by the party’s continued efforts to sideline him that he announced retirement from politics. Last year, he was asked to step down as the chief minister of Karnataka as the party felt his government had become unpopular and it may not be able to return to power under his leadership. The party’s electoral fortunes have, however, failed to change even after his exit. Yediyurappa is by far the most popular leader among Karnataka’s numerically strong Lingayat community which has largely supported the BJP over the years. This has forced the party to bring him back to a position of prominence. Sources said Yediyurappa continues to sulk as he and his family have been kept away from power politics and forced to live on the margins. Efforts are on by the party to persuade their Lingayat strongman. The fact that the party now realises his importance was also evident when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to Mangaluru, called Yediyurappa to the dais when he saw him sitting in the audience. Party’s overtures notwithstanding, BSY appears in no mood to bring back a government in which he and his family would have no role to play.