New Delhi, July 4
Even as the views of RSS’s Pranth Pracharaks, who are holding a meeting in Surat, is yet to be known on the leadership issue of the BJP, the second rung leadership of the party is understood to have categorically conveyed to BJP President L.K. Advani that they cannot accept any dilution in “emotive” and “senitive” ideological issues of the party.
This assertion of the second rung leaders has already shown its result with Mr Advani resorting to “course correction” by accepting the resignation of party National Secretary and his political secretary Sudheendra Kulkarni, who attempted to “secularise” the BJP, sources said here today.
While there was enough indication within the party circle that Mr Advani would get “adequate” time to position himself back on the ideology path, there is lot of speculation on how long he will continue in his position.
While some felt that given the situation, Mr Advani will be forced to pass on the baton of the party sooner than later, may be within six months, some others within the BJP felt that if he managed to reassert himself on ideology then he would complete his full three-year term.
The RSS, which
would not like to accord unceremonious exit to Mr Advani, for his big role in spearheading the Ayodhya temple movement, is expected to keep a close watch on him during the forthcoming BJP
National Executive meeting to be held in Chennai in the third week of this
month, before moving against him further, sources said.
In this context, it may be recalled that the RSS has already asked Mr Advani to remove the misgivings arising out of his remarks on Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Mr Advani, who came in for criticism from within the party and from the leaders of the Sangh Parivar, over his remarks on Pakistan Founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah during his recent visit to Pakistan had tendered his resignation as party president on June 8 and subsequently took it back on the appeal of office-bearers of the party on June 10.
However, Mr Advani was made to be part of a party resolution, which contradicted BJP President’s remarks on Jinnah and categorically spelt out the party’s view on Jinnah.
The passage of the resolution itself was seen as a dilution of Mr Advani’s authority and his decision to accept Mr Kulkarni’s resignation yesterday is being seen as an act under “pressure” from within the party and also the Sangh Parivar.
Meanwhile, the VHP which had been attacking Mr Advani at regular interval today dubbed Mr Advani’s as a “non-Hindutvavadi” leader and asserted that the BJP should have a “Hindutvavadi” as its chief.
