Personal pique can’t set the agenda

BJP’s unsteady boat

Editorial

The Pioneer

June 15, 2009.

 

Personal pique can’t set the agenda

Victory has many fathers; defeat is an orphan. Nothing proves this adage more resoundingly than the turmoil currently being witnessed in the upper echelons of the BJP. Some of this was unavoidable following the party’s comprehensive defeat in the Lok Sabha poll. While it is a fact that many in the BJP were not confident of storming into power given the party’s weakness in several key States as well as its inability to cobble together a large enough alliance, the margin of defeat came as a shock to all. The BJP was, nevertheless, hopeful of emerging as the largest single party in the 15th Lok Sabha, or at worst only a few seats away from that position, In the event, it ended 90 seats below the Congress’s tally, while its allies just about retained their paltry strength. In these circumstances, internecine feuding, howsoever unpalatable, was bound to erupt.

Unfortunately, however, the dissenting voices in the party appear to have been motivated to go public more out of private pique than ideological or organisational conviction. Although those leading the unrest have impeccable personal credentials, they must be held guilty of violating the norms of inner-party discipline by airing their views through the media. The leading dissenters may have a point when they accuse those involved in charting the election campaign of not owning moral responsibility for the party’s comprehensive failure. But they too have not abided by the principle of collective responsibility without which no organisation can survive, leave alone thrive.

Their demand for instant introspection into the causes of the defeat appears rather contrived in view of BJP president Rajnath Singh’s repeated assurance that a Chintan (brainstorming) meeting would be held in August, both to examine the factors behind the desultory performance and also explore the way ahead. Without delving deep into the mélange of factors that contributed to the BJP’s electoral misfortune, it was premature on the part of certain loquacious leaders and functionaries to merrily distribute blame between Hindutva ideology, alleged RSS interference, Mr Varun Gandhi’s controversial speeches and sundry other superficial causes. More importantly, persons now discovering these bogeys were very much part of the team that formulated the campaign strategy; to heap abuse only on those who translated policy pronouncements into publicity material is, therefore, hardly justified. Besides, the BJP has not suddenly got associated with Hindutva, nor was bonding with the RSS a novelty specific to this election. In fact, many of the victorious MPs happily accepted unstinted RSS cadre support in their campaign.

It is particularly regrettable that knowing fully well that hostile sections of the media would blow public expressions of angst totally out of proportion certain senior functionaries mounted a scathing attack on the leadership. Further, a perception is gaining ground that some among the disgruntled lot are implacably opposed to the party’s reins being handed over to the next generation, fearing loss of personal importance. Surely, they must know that the makeover cannot be delayed any further. The voters have given a clear verdict in favour of youth and dynamism. The BJP must not be seen to obstinately resist change. There is, however, little doubt that once the current summer of discontent gets over, the BJP will put its house in order and boldly march ahead to fulfil its well-wishers’ dreams. But that can happen only under a younger, purposeful leadership acting with the benefit of Mr LK Advani’s guiding hand.