The bigger role for Narendra Modi has shattered NDA and JD-U is out of the NDA loop. The elevation of Modi is not because of organisational necessity but is only guided by political compulsion of few in the RSS camp. Most of the generation next leaders in the BJP feel threatened by the authoritarian style of functioning of Modi, yet have fallen in line reluctantly only to satisfy their lust for power.
In order to satisfy political greed, the BJP is even ready to sacrifice organisation, its pathfinder and allies over an individual whom they believe can sail the sinking ship of the party to the shore, anticipating that by not remaining in power for another five years would disintegrate the party. The split between JD-U and BJPand likely emergence of the federal front or the third front has come as a blessing in disguise for Advani to claim his acceptability within and outside the party. Lobbying against Modi is gaining momentum within and outside the party. Here, Advani will try to change the direction of the political developments in Bihar to his advantage to keep his prime ministerial ambition alive and ticking. JD-U and some other regional parties are regrouping to provide an alternative before the people of India.
Earlier, alliance was formed on the basis of ideology and principle and not merely on political arithmetic, regional aspirations and winability. Nitish Kumar has his own definition of secularism. To JD-U, Modi is communal and LK Advani secular. If we measure the communal index of the two then there could be only a thin line in-between Modi and Advani. The threshold point of the pullout from NDA was cited by JD-U general secretary, K C Tyagi that if Advani is not at the helm of affairs, it is almost difficult for the party to remain in alliance and the NDA’s prime ministerial candidate should be secular with clean and progressive image and under no circumstances the party will compromise on the issue of secularism. Or is it the part of the plan to project Advani as secular only to divide the BJP’s camp further in order to intensify infighting between Advani loyalists and supporters of Modi and get the benefit in Bihar?
If Modi is disliked because of the Gujarat riots and anti-Muslim approach then LK Advani too should be rejected on the same parameters for poisoning the minds of the people of India on highly communal lines. How can he be secular while he is accused of having played a leading role in instigating the karsewaks to demolish the Babri Masjid? After partition, India was further divided on the BabriMasjid demolition day because on that day people’s faith in secularism, constitution and unity in diversity was blown into pieces and no one really knows how long it will take to fetch those pieces to revive people’s faith in secularism. Is by merely praising Jinnah Advani can become secular?
The BJP while elevating Modi by ignoring Advani was of the impression that either he would fall in line after some chaos or the worst he could have done to isolate himself from active politics which the RSS and BJP want him to do. The resignation was least expected, which forced the high rank and file of the BJP to rush to him to persuade him not to do so. Later, it was RSS that pacified Advani to take back his resignation.
Will Advani abide by those diktat or assurance because the issue he raised in his resignation letter to Rajnath Singh was that for some time he had been finding it difficult to reconcile either with ‘the current functioning of the party’ or by ‘the direction in which it was moving’ and ‘most of the leaders are guided by their personal agenda’. Advani has fallen in line without any specific assurance to what he has raised. Surprisingly, it was the same Advani eight years ago who had categorically said to the RSS that the party could perform well even if it is not micromanaged by the RSS and now he has to agree to the diktat of the RSS even without making any hue and cry. The big question: has Advani followed the diktat of the RSS or was he verbally assured of something not officially declared? Or has Advani lost his first match of the series with Modi’s team?
No matter what bigger role Modi gets in the BJP, he will not be acceptable to the people who want to preserve the secular ethos of the country. The taint of Gujarat riots will remain with Modi forever. Illusionary hype of development cannot change the reality on the ground. A majority of Indians are still secular no matter how political leaders have tried to divide the people of India by propagating hatred and mistrust for their selfish agenda only to gain political power.
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in an interview to Indian Express on 11 June, said, “I don’t think Narendra Modi presents a credible alternative to the problems the country is facing. Much of the development in Gujarat is hyped up. The state has always been prosperous and credit for that should not go to one person.”Patnaik has described 2002 riots as horrible, horrible tragedy and hoped the legal process would deliver justice. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has said that Modi’s elevation and his magic will have no impact in UP. Narendra Modi’s controversial point-man Amit Shah after taking charge in UP has briefed the party cadre that solid foundation of the next NDA government under the leadership of BJP in 2014 would be laid from UP. RajendraChaudhary, spokesperson of SP, in his reaction, has said that his party will not tolerate communalism in the state and will also not allow UP in any way to become Gujarat.
The political vacuum created by the NDA and UPA has provided an excellent opportunity for those who are trying to regroup under federal front or the third front. But such an idea can only become possible when those who are taking the lead can have flexible approach towards the feeling of one another, their problems and concerns and also they are equally ready to sacrifice their respective prime ministerial ambition. These leaders will have to find common issues on which they can put their heads together and a leader who is acceptable to all as well as to the party or who has the ability to take them along. Otherwise, such an idea will be a non-starter and may end up in chaos instead of providing a viable alternative.