Rumblings in BJP as more back veterans

As rumblings in the BJP continue after its defeat in Bihar, senior leader Yashwant Sinha Friday met veteran leaders L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. The trio, along with another senior leader, Shanta Kumar, had attacked the top BJP leadership over the party’s performance in the Bihar polls, and demanded accountability be fixed for the drubbing. Former Union home secretary and BJP MP R.K. Singh, who had earlier attacked the party over the Bihar defeat, on Friday endorsed the party elders’ view that accountability must be fixed and a through review is needed on why the party had lost. The RSS, meanwhile, is keeping a close watch on developments in the BJP.

Speculation is rife in party circles that if the ongoing crisis deepens, the BJP top brass will be forced to approach the RSS leadership to intervene, particularly to pacify Mr Advani. Sources said the RSS could also ask the BJP’s former general secretary (organisation) Sanjay Joshi to talk to the dissident faction, including Dr Joshi and Mr Sinha.

Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu felt the veterans could have raised their views at a party forum rather than going public. Another Union minister, Nitin Gadkari, who had earlier suggested stringent action against leaders who had made “unwarranted controversial statements”, on Friday denied he had suggested disciplinary action against party veterans. He insisted the party’s central leadership was discussing with the veterans the issues raised by them. Home minister Rajnath Singh is also in favour of holding talks with the veteran leaders over the issue.

Asserting that the BJP would take note of the views and concerns of party veterans, Mr Naidu said in Bengaluru: “Some of our senior leaders have raised certain issues. It would have been better if these issues were raised in a party forum rather than in public, but we will still take note of these views and concerns... We will discuss with all concerned. The parliamentary board has already decided to take up with all those concerned... and discuss the shortcomings that led to the defeat in Bihar. That has been the practice.”

Mr Naidu praised PM Modi, saying he had been instrumental in lifting the pride of the nation among the people of India and the world. Defending BJP president Amit Shah, the minister said he had played an important role in drawing up party strategy and organising the campaign.

“The BJP lost the 2004 parliamentary elections. I was the president, Atalji was the leader. In 2009 also, we lost to UPA-2 when Advaniji was the leader. We also lost some Assembly elections,” said Mr Naidu, adding: “Winning and losing happens, we never held any individual or group of individuals responsible for those defeats.”

After finance minister Arun Jaitley paid a visit to Dr Joshi on Thursday evening, Mr Yashwant Sinha also met the veteran leader on Friday. Mr Sinha, who also met Mr Advani separately, said: “I have nothing else to say except that I met Joshiji and Advaniji.” Welcoming the party’s efforts to reach out to them, Mr Shanta Kumar said: “The party’s response is good, positive. Our leaders have met. Arun Jaitley met Advani and Joshiji. A dialogue has begun and it should continue. I am satisfied.” After the Bihar debacle, several BJP leaders vented their anger against the party’s top brass and faulted their campaign for raking up controversial issues and using “undignified” language. Actor-politician Manoj Tewari, MP from North-East Delhi, who was one of the top BJP campaigners, also criticised the party’s campaign and lauded the JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance’s strategy as “undoubtedly better”. He said the BJP had failed to convince people to vote for party candidates.

Mr Gadkari said the party elders, including Mr Advani and Dr Joshi, “are our highly respected leaders and neither I nor any other party functionary has ever shown any disrespect to them, and there is absolutely no question of anyone suggesting calling for an explanation from them, and not the least demanding disciplinary action against them”.