CHOUHAN’S NEWFOUND LOVE

IN POLITICS, relationships can turn topsy-turvy. An “emotional” move by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to settle differences with his arch rival and Union water resources minister Uma Bharti recently has caused flutter in the BJP.

“Although, I consider her (Ms Bharti) as my didi (sister), I have always received motherly affection from her,” Mr Chouhan told reporters on the sideline of function recently.

Though Ms Bharti seemed reconciled to the fact she had to step down as chief minister barely within a little over a year of leading the BJP to victory in MP in 2003, she had reportedly squarely blamed Mr Chouhan for wresting power. Babulal Gaur had replaced Ms Bharti as “stop gap” arrangement after the latter resigned from CM’s post following a warrant issued against her in connection with a court case in 2004.

Ms Bharti had nurtured the hope that the post would be restored to her after settlement of the case, but in an unexpected development Mr Chouhan replaced Mr Gaur as MP CM a year later. Suspecting something fishy, she was often quoted saying “bachcha chor (child lifter)” had snatched away power from her, referring to Mr Chouhan. But when Ms Bharti heard about the “Didi-cum-Maa” feelings nurtured by Mr Chouhan towards her she said: “My ‘bachcha chor’ remark was never aimed at him (Mr Chouhan). The epithet was for someone else.” She, of course, refused to name who was her “bachcha chor”. “The term has lost its relevance now,” she quipped while flashing a cryptic smile.