Fodder Scam Decisive Issue For Next Elections, Says Advani
BJP president LK Advani yesterday held that corruption, particularly the mutli-crore fodder scam in Bihar, will be the decisive issue in the next Lok Sabha elections. In this context, he attacked former Prime Minister VP Singhs silence on the fodder scam, saying that anyone who sides with the fodder scam is doomed to disaster.
He said he was depressed with VP Singh and angry with Prime Minister IK Gujral for their responses to Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadavs insistence on not resigning after being charged in the scam.
Singh was at the forefront of the campaign against corruption in 1887-89 and became Prime Minister because of the Bofors issue, Advani pointed out. I know he is not keeping good health, but his silence is encouraging others. It is sad to find the champion of probity in public life remaining silent.
Advani said he considered Gujral a friend and a decent man. I expected him to resign. He quoted Gujrals statement that where he compared his position with the legendary Draupati, who had five husbands. Gujral said that he has fourteen husbands in the form of 14 partners of the United Front, Advani pointed out.
However, Draupatis five husbands were there to protect her, whereas in the case of Gujral, it appear that all the 14 husbands are eager to disrobe him, Advani commented. He had described Gujral as a chipku Prime Minsiter (one who sticks to the chair) while addressing the yatras last rally on Tuesday.
Advani claimed the swarna jayanti rath yatra had dispelled cynicism and despair in the country that nothing can be done. The yatra has created hope among people who ar looking towards the BJP with great hope. Corruption would be their touch stone when they go for voting, he said.
On the BJPs chances of roping in other regional partiess support for another id for power at the Centre, he claimed that the BJP and its allies the Shiv Sena, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Haryana Vikas Party and the Samata Party would win the next Lok Sabha elections hands down. The BJPs two-day national executive meeting from July 26 would take stock of the political situation and alert all party units on the impending mid-term poll, Advani said.
The developing political scenario, the strain within the United Front, open clash between the Congress and the Marxists have added to the inherent instability of the Front government, he noted.
There is also talk of who will hoist the national flag on August 15. And if he is Gujral, whether he will be a full fledged Prime Minsiter or an interim one, Advani wondered.