Uma issue: Gaur says discipline cannot be compromised

Madurai, Apr 10: Discounting the possible re-entry of firebrand leader Uma Bharti into the BJP, senior party leader and Madhya Pradesh Industries Minister Babular Gaur has said ''discipline could not be compromised''.

Talking to newspersons here last night, he evaded a direct reply on the issue but said ''no individual is above the party and every one has to submit to the party.'' Citing his own case, Mr Gaur said he had been a Chief Minister and was now a Cabinet minister. ''As such, one should be prepared to accept the role assigned by the party,'' he added.

Blaming the Congress for the infrastructure problems in MP, he pointed out that 21 ministers in the then Digvijay Singh cabinet had come under the scrutiny of the Lok Ayukta.

However, he praised Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram for ''helping'' the state tide over the crisis caused by the loss-making state transport sector.

Replying to a question, he said the implementation of VAT had turned out to be beneficial for the state as tax revenue had increased. Tax collection has witnessed a quantum leap and reached Rs 32,000 crore, he said, claiming that this was Rs 6,000 crore more than during the previous Congress government.

He also welcomed the entry of corporates in the retail trade, dismissing the argument that it would affect small traders.

UNI