Gupta has even, inspired leaks from his office suggest, told the chief minister that he would rather he be divested of transport and given another portfolio if the permits of the Bluelines are renewed against his wishes.But if the duo's public posturing is discounted, it becomes abundantly clear that at the core of the transport minister versus chief minister dispute is larger, constituency-related concerns. Gupta hopes to dismantle the caucus that controls the Blueline business and replace it with a caucus more amenable to him. Currently, Bluelines are widely believed to be owned by persons, mostly from Outer Delhi, who are supporters of Sahib Singh.

The notification which will spell the end of Blueline buses on Delhi roads is yet to be signed by the chief minister. It is eminently possible that, if the CM does indeed have the last laugh, Bluelines may get a reprieve at least until this October's elections to the Delhi Assembly.

Following public outcry against the `killer' Bluelines and a demand for making them more responsible and safe, the Delhi Government announced that these buses would now run under cooperatives. This meant that the buses would be under the Delhi Transport Coporation but owned privately. The DTC would pay them a fixed rate per kilometre of their route. When operators gave the low rates as the reason for their reluctance to come under the new scheme, the Government raised the rates by one rupee. Yet, that did not turn the Blueline operators around to accepting the scheme. However, there are already 1,500 buses which are now running under the km-scheme.