SHIMLA, Nov 11: Though the postponement of election for the state BJP president's post following unruly scenes and refusal of the state Returning Officer to revoke ``disqualification'' of 24 elected delegates has averted a split in the party, these unsavoury happenings have however thrown the main opposition party of the state into a deeper crisis.

The development, almost similar to that which split the party's Gujarat unit last year has brought to the fore an intense power struggle within the party ranks and also aborted attempts of some BJP leaders to marginalise the former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar. With Shanta Kumar sticking to his guns and claiming support of 60 delegates in an electoral college of 82, he now awaits intervention of the high command for ``justice''.

``I am under tremendous pressure of my supporters to proceed to Delhi and parade them before Advaniji and also other senior bosses. But, being a disciplined soldier, I will not take any such step which endangers the unity or causes any embarrassment to senior leaders in Delhi'', he told The Indian Express over phone. All his supporters, including the 24 who stand disqualified are camping at former chief minister's Yamini hotel and waiting for the party's response from Delhi.

The rivals, led by sitting party chief Prem Kumar Dhumal, who have been blaming Shanta Kumar for yesterday's violence, rowdyism and postponement of elections, have also not relented. ``We never expected person like Shantaji to resort to such an ugly actions to make his way to the top post,'' Dhumal comments. He defended the disqualification of delegates and opposed the rivals' demand for reversal of the orders. The happenings, which were unprecedented in the run-up for the party polls, perhaps were not unexpected, ever since tension had started building up between the two warring factions. There had also been signs of growing rebellion within the party ranks against the leadership, which instead of fighting the ruling party was engaged in tackling Shanta Kumar.

Even the returning officer had joined hands in ensuring that former chief minister's election to the party post was blocked. Narinder Modi, a BJP leader from Gujarat, who had been in charge of Himachal Pradesh affairs is also being accused of the partisan role and bringing the state unit at the verge of a split like in his home state of Gujarat. ``We will not allow him to achieve the goal'', warns a former minister.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.