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“In this party, a lot of effort goes into creating consensus (sarvaanumati). Once it is created and you defy it, you are apt to be dumped” this was the succint comment of a BJP leader with close connections with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) about the events leading up to L K Advani’s political isolation.
The Sangh itself was highly critical of LK Advani’s conduct and appeared to put its entire weight behind Narendra Modi in the battle of power and supremacy between the two leaders.
In 2002 (after the Godhra riots), Atal Bihari Vajpayee was on the dias and there were calls for Narendra Modi’s resignation. Jaswant Singh too said Modi should quit. At that time, it was Advani who intervened and said that to insist on Modi’s resignation would send a wrong signal. Vajpayee was overruled. But he didn’t walk out of the party or announce his resignation. Now Advaniji is saying people are pursuing personal agendas. Who is pursuing a personal agenda? Not once has Narendra Modi said; ‘make me Prime Minister’” said a Sangh leader. He said the only one who had a personal agenda was L K Advani.
BJP leaders likened Advani to his mentor Balraj Madhok. It was Madhok who brought Advani to the Jana Sangh, on the strength of his capacity to draft documents. The towering leaders at the time were Deendayal Upadhyaya and Syamaprasad Mukerjee. But Madhok developed ideological differences with the Jana Sangh and was expelled.
“Advani has invoked Upadhyaya and Mukerjee as the most influential leaders of the Jana Sangh and the BJP. But he has forgotten to name Balraj Madhok: maybe because comparisons are odious” said a Sangh leader.
He said Advani’s resignation was unexpected. “But what happens if a majority of the senior leaders reconcile themselves with Advani’s decision? This is a risk has is taking” he pointed out.
Party leaders however said this was not yet endgame. “If Narendra Modi can help the BJP in getting 250 seats, he will become a certain Prime Minister of the BJP. But if the BJP gets less than 250 seats, there will once again be a clamour for a ‘secular’ leader. Advani has his eyes fixed on that.”
