GANDHINAGAR: The controversy surrounding BJP General Secretary Govindacharya is far from over.

According to sources here, Govindacharya, who has been transferred to Tamil Nadu, will be coming to Delhi shortly for a meeting with some senior party and RSS leaders to discuss, among other things, the controversy which sought to link him romantically with party MP Uma Bharat is as well as subsequent developments in the party.

The episode has angered senior party leaders, notwithstanding their public pronouncements that all is well within the party-

The National Executive of the BJP, which met here, was particularly agitated over media reports on the goings-on in the party, including the transfer of Govindacharya. It also deplored the lack of discretion among party leaders in talking to the media.

The Press had published reports on Uma Bharatis Letter to party President Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi (regarding her intention to quit politics and take sanyas after the slander campaign against her by colleagues linking her with Govindacharya). It had also suggested that Govindacharya sudden transfer was an indication of a power struggle at the top (particularly between Dr.Joshi and L.K. Advani).

The issue of Govindacharyas transfer was raised at the National Executive by BJP MP Ram Naik who said that confused party workers would like a clarification.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat wanted to know how certain derogatory items had appeared in the papers about him. Veteran leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee also complained that critical reports about him had appeared.

Vajpayee is said to have reprimanded Govindacharya on these adverse reports but when Govindacharya reportedly sought to counter the attack, he was prevented from speaking.

Meanwhile, Advani is said to have intervened to point out that Govindacharyas transfer was part of the party’s routine redistribution of human resources,

Some of the younger members concerned that Govindacharya was not given an opportunity to state his position thought of taking it up with the leaders.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 15, 1992