Joshi takes pot shot at Advani

Murli Manohar Joshi took a dig at L.K. Advani when he referred to the unceremonial ouster of Bhanupratap Shukla from the post of editor of RSS mouthpiece Panchajanya.

Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi took a dig at Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani when he referred to the unceremonial ouster of Bhanupratap Shukla from the post of editor of RSS mouthpiece Panchajanya.

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Addressing a memorial function organized by the RSS to pay tribute to Shukla, Joshi said, “Shukla was a rare diamond but he was thrown on the streets. His value was only known later, after this happened.”

Joshi spoke in the presence of RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan, who made no reference to the episode more than 13 years ago when Advani enjoyed major clout with the RSS and had his way on most matters.

Joshi also said all coalition governments, including his party-led NDA, indulged in power politics and warned that the trend could lead to another partition of the country. “Coalition governments are no more practising politics they are known for. They are more focussed on power politics now. Today, it is the UPA coalition government, yesterday it was the NDA, tomorrow it will be someone else... If the situation continues, we will see another partition of the country in the near future,” he warned.

Sudarshan, for his part, criticised the “growing influence” of the English media in the country and said there should be a “censor” on the media. “The electronic media gets funds from foreign countries and under Western influence, they are spreading nudity and obscenity in the country,” he said.