Monday, March 21 2005 10:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhopal: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday (Mar 20, 2005) ruled out change of guard in Madhya Pradesh and gave a seal of approval to the performance of Babulal Gaur Government.

"There is no truth in news items making the rounds about change of leadership. These are just media speculation," BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley said after a three-hour meeting of State party's core committee in Bhopal, when asked about many MLAs openly demanding removal of Gaur.

His remarks come in the backdrop of firebrand party leader Uma Bharati's recent meetings with BJP MLAs and Gaur at her residence in Bhopal triggering a buzz in political circles in Bhopal about change of leadership in the State.

"Every party member has a right to express his views. But there is a process followed by the party to consider them. The party has already taken a decision (on leadership change) and declared it," Jaitley said.

On the question why the party took a long time to dismiss speculation about the demand for a change of guard brewing within a section of party leaders over the past few months, he said, "It was never a big issue. Should we respond to all such issues?"

Sidestepping a question on whether BJP would punish its leaders who openly seek return of Uma Bharti as Chief Minister, he said, "Any action would be the final step. But before that, the party tries to convince them."

Expressing satisfaction over the working of Gaur Government, Jaitley said, "Everybody is putting in their best efforts to lead the State towards development."

He said that the issue of change of guard did not figure at all in yesterday's core committee meeting.