Ajit Jogi: Hello
Virender Pandey is Chhatisgarh state BJP vice-president. 'Khunte' referred to in the conversation is the BJP MP who had defected to the Congress before the elections. Now of course he claims that he was under pressure.
Ajit Jogi: Hello
Virender Pandey: Jogiji, tell me...
Ajit Jogi: Pandeyji I had sent you a message.
Virender Pandey: I received it but some things need to be clarified.
Ajit Jogi: Tell me.
Virender Pandey: First the numbers. You have 37, right?
Ajit Jogi: Take it as 39, two from BSP
Virender Pandey: Have you spoken to them?
Ajit Jogi: Yes
Virender Pandey: So we need to arrange seven more to achieve the figure of 7
Ajit Jogi: The speaker is our man. He will not disqualify them.
Virender Pandey: So they have joined you. Now you'll have to go to the Governor, it is better if the whole thing isdone this evening
Ajit Jogi: True
Virender Pandey: But there is a slight problem. Balli Ram has a great stature in the party, in fact, Bal Thackerayhad even called him an uncut diamond. He has such an ability to pull people. So if he leaves, he will beputting his life's reputation at stake.
Ajit Jogi: That shouldn't be a problem
Virender Pandey: The other thing we need is a guarantee that they will not withdraw support for five years. So yourparty should make an announcement that these people are joining us against communal forces, and then theyshould say which is why we shall not withdraw support. Then we can work out a common minimum programme.
Ajit Jogi: That can be easily done.
Virender Pandey: It's important because we all know what happened with the Chandrashekhar Government.
Ajit Jogi: Chandrashekhar is a different story, I am Jogi and I shall do what I say.
Virender Pandey: I got a call from Khunte and I spoke to him and told him to think about who are the people who canleave. In his Lok Sabha constituency there are four people - his son, Bedu Ram Kashyap, Lachchu Kashyap,Mahesh Baghel. These four-five names are doing the rounds, but for the other names we will need cash, withoutthat nothing happens now days.
Ajit Jogi: That will be arranged.
Virender Pandey: We will have to pay them some money in advance, 2 to 4 lakhs right now, today, the rest can besettled later.
Ajit Jogi: That'll be done.
Virender Pandey: So send 15 - 20 lakhs to me through Khunte, then I shall talk to Balli Ram and then get back butsend the money in the next two hours
Ajit Jogi: I shall call Khunte right away. How much? About 15 - 20 ?
Virender Pandey: Yes about 20 - 25 is enough.
Ajit Jogi: I shall send it, but only if the deal is done.
Virender Pandey: Definitely, only if it comes through, otherwise the money will come back to you.