The new BJP president, Rajnath Singh, has now been adorned with what its tallest and most enigmatic leader, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, described as a crown of thorns. This is all the more so because the party's silver jubilee session, which ended with the resignation of its strongman, L.K. Advani, from the party presidentship failed to resolve any of the issues that have made 2005 an annus horribilis for the BJP. Principal among the problems is the nature of the relationship between the party and the RSS, which Mr Advani directly accused of interfering in the day-to-day work of the party during the Chennai national executive meet in October.
The party also did not take a clear cut stand on corruption. It displayed a distinct tendency to waffle in the wake of the cash-for-questions scam. But those who were expecting the 'party with a difference' to reach out for the moral high ground in Mumbai were disappointed. Instead, Mr Advani somewhat ridiculously chose to blame the Congress for making the BJP corrupt, and Mr Singh, on taking over as president, declared that attacking the 'anti-people' policies of the UPA government would be his main strategy. True, Mr Singh has declared that he will not tolerate indiscipline and corruption, but these sounded like ritual statements. Given the manner in which both issues have affected the party, it would have been fitting if he had come to office with some clear directions from the senior leaders gathered in Mumbai.
The BJP's problems are not just corruption and the baleful influence of the RSS, but internal cohesion and discipline. Uma Bharati's rebellion, if we may still call it that, hangs like a sword over MP, and what remains of the UP, units of the party. Nor will the formal anointment of Mr Singh by Mr Advani and Mr Vajpayee on Monday end the jockeying among the second generation leaders for the mantle of the ageing duo. Singh may have made a name for himself as an able administrator, but that does not mean that he has anything close to Mr Vajpayee's political flair, or Mr Advani's leadership qualities. The BJP's annus mirabilis will clearly take some time in coming, Mr Advani's expectations to the contrary notwithstanding.
{{/usCountry}}The BJP's problems are not just corruption and the baleful influence of the RSS, but internal cohesion and discipline. Uma Bharati's rebellion, if we may still call it that, hangs like a sword over MP, and what remains of the UP, units of the party. Nor will the formal anointment of Mr Singh by Mr Advani and Mr Vajpayee on Monday end the jockeying among the second generation leaders for the mantle of the ageing duo. Singh may have made a name for himself as an able administrator, but that does not mean that he has anything close to Mr Vajpayee's political flair, or Mr Advani's leadership qualities. The BJP's annus mirabilis will clearly take some time in coming, Mr Advani's expectations to the contrary notwithstanding.
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