A new process, or an episode of significance, needs an appellation to mark it out from the humdrum. The media is calling the strong stuff written by senior BJP figures — L.K.
A new process, or an episode of significance, needs an appellation to mark it out from the humdrum. The media is calling the strong stuff written by senior BJP figures — L.K. Advani and others — after the drubbing in Bihar a “veterans’ revolt”.
Before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah take counter-measures aimed at self-preservation, they are likely to assess how deep-going the disenchantment with them is. For now it may be premature to conclude that the frustration with the leadership is confined to a few “retired” old men. The facts seem to suggest otherwise.
Four elected Bihar MPs have spontaneously come out publicly castigating the Modi-Shah duo who pushed Bihar state leaders and other national leaders aside to take total charge of the poll campaign. They took a win for granted, and saw in this an opportunity to further centralise decision-making and sideline consensus politics.
At least half a dozen other Bihar MPs have been critical in their responses to the media but have urged that their names not be disclosed. The Bihar state leadership of the BJP is in a state of despondency and shock, and there is a current of resentment as well against the central bosses. An important NDA ally, the Shiv Sena, has seized the moment to gun for the PM.
It hardly matters if the veterans have spoken out because they have been sidelined, if that’s indeed the case. They have clearly tapped into a rich vein of discontent. Aside from the MPs, in the Union council of ministers also there are individuals who are said to harbour acute dissatisfaction.
In the next two years, the BJP will face a string of state elections, and low morale can’t help. If the situation is not tackled delicately, public policy can be impacted as disgruntled legislators can sneakily make common cause with a rampaging Opposition.
For speaking home truths the veterans cannot be denuded of high party positions as punishment as they hold none. They have insinuated that the BJP has been “emasculated” because of the autocratic functioning of the PM and the party chief. They have said that the decision-makers now speak of collective responsibility for the Bihar ignominy in order to escape being held accountable. The veterans have asked for a transparent review by those who didn’t run the Bihar show.
In the BJP’s case, the mood of the RSS too has to be factored in as the statement on the reservation policy by its chief, Mohan Bhagwat, has also been criticised by insiders. The situation is fraught. Much of what’s going on is behind the scene, in line with the RSS’ secretive (and non-representative) character and its stranglehold on the BJP. In the BJP’s and in public interest, Mr Modi must act quickly and fairly.
