'This Is A Betrayal Of The People'— Uma

The BJP legislators' meeting in Bhopal was stormy. Here's a fly-on-the-wall account of it.
The Hindi weekly Outlook Saptahik literally had its ear to the ground inside the venue where a stormy meeting of BJP legislators in Bhopal took place. Arun Jaitley and Pramod Mahajan flew in from Delhi to ensure that Shivraj Singh Chauhan is "elected" the new CM by the legislators. Excerpts:

(There is chaos in the first 34 minutes. Finally, proceedings begin.)

Arun Jaitley: "We are gathered here today under special circumstances. For some weeks now, there has been a fierce debate over the leadership of the legislative party. Many of you friends have expressed different opinions on this. On November 26, the parliamentary board met, had a discussion and took a decision. The meeting of the legislators has been called to ratify the decision."

Uma Bharati: "According to the party constitution, the legislators have the right to elect their leader. The parliamentary board has the right to call a meeting of the legislature party, but not to elect the leader. Here 106 of 172 legislators have demanded that a new leader be elected with their support (applause). I request you to call each legislator individually and take a secret ballot. Or should we believe that the BJP does not follow its own constitution?"

Jaitley: "I ask Pramod Mahajan to reply to Umaji's point about the party constitution." (Gauri Shankar Shejwar repeats Uma's question. ).

Pramod Mahajan: "The BJP's central leadership is supreme. As legislators, you should know that the central constitution is superior to conventions guiding a legislative party." (He says he has a copy of the BJP constitution which clarifies the point he's making.)

Uma: "Take a decision after asking the legislators. We will all accept the majority decision of legislators. I will accept Shivraj and welcome him if the MLAs back him."

Mahajan: "Umaji, let us take the decisions. The decision of the parliamentary board is final."

Babulal Gaur: "My name had come from Delhi" (laughter).

Shejwar: "I propose Umaji's name as leader."

Jaitley: "I propose Shivraj's name." (An argument follows. Jaitley asks those in favour of Shivraj to raise their hands. Uma again asks for a secret ballot.)

Uma: "This is a betrayal of the people, the legislators. I will go to Ayodhya."

Jaitley: "This is not a forum for speeches."

Uma: "I am leaving."

Mahajan: "Those who are getting up to leave, please sit down."

Jaitley: "No one will leave." (Most of them listen to him and return to their seats.)