Sheila Dixit emerges stronger

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, DEC. 10.

The petering out of the dissident movement coupled with the positive feedback on the performance of the Government and the support it enjoys, especially among women and youth, has enabled the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dixit, to emerge stronger in the third year in office.

For a Chief Minister, against whom the entire senior leaders of the Delhi Congress(I) had ganged up and about whom rumours were doing the rounds that she was being replaced any moment, it has been a big achievement to not only run the Government despite all odds but also put her opponents on the mat. The exit of the DPCC(I) president, Mr. Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, has dealt a severe blow to the dissident movement and put their loyalty in question.

In fact, her major achievement on the political front has not only been the shift in loyalty of some dissident MLAs, but also making peace with the PCC(I) leadership to ensure smooth functioning of both the wings. Many of the dissident MLAs have joined hands with the Chief Minister deciding to concentrate on the developmental works, rather than on harmful activities.

Contrary to predictions, Ms. Dixit has shown exemplary maturity in handling political as well as administrative matters. Refusing to be provoked by senior dissident leaders and a few disgruntled MLAs, Ms. Dixit waited for the right opportunity to strike. As of today, the dissident movement stands fractured. The exit of Mr. Bidhuri and his likely joining hands with the Jan Shakti of Union Communication Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, is clear indication that the dissidents have been in touch with leaders of the parties opposed to the Congress(I).

``The dissident movement failed to take off as the senior party leaders, spearheading the movement lacked credibility. Their standing within the party and in the eyes of the high command stands lowered. It was just a bunch of self-centred people who entered into a marriage of convenience to take on what they thought a vulnerable Ms. Dixit. They been proven wrong,'' remarked a senior leader.

Another factor which damaged the dissidents is the decision of the DPCC(I) chief, Mr. Subhash Chopra, since re-elected, to go along with the high command. Accepting the directions of the party leadership, Mr. Chopra is learnt to have assured the Chief Minister that he would work for a smooth relationship to put up a united front. He is also understood to have disapproved the activities of the dissidents.

Political observers are of the view that the aggressive stand adopted by the Chief Minister on unauthorised colonies and the closure of industries has helped her take a lead over everybody. Her petitioning the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan, on the industries issue silenced her opponents within the party. ``The party high command has given a clear message. Ms. Dixit is her to stay. All have to work for the success of the Government and anyone attempting to harm the party or the leadership would be dealt with sternly,'' a Minister remarked.

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