While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the United Kingdom, his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to douse the friendly fire set off by the rout it faced in Bihar.
Following the salvo fired by party veterans LK Advani, MM Joshi and Yashwant Sinha, et al, through which they stressed that there was a need to fix the accountability for the humiliating defeat, the top brass released a generic statement.
But, the real politics over the ‘dissent’ in the party is coming to the fore only now. While there were speculations on Amit Shah’s tenure as party chief, comments by Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, and Venkaiah Naidu indicate that the party is firmly behind Shah, at least for now.
Yet, as they do so, the party seeks to diffuse tensions, by taking the seniors into confidence, and nipping the ‘revolt’ in the bud. Friday’s developments indicate this.
After his statement, which left much space for speculation over ‘action’ being taken against the seniors, Gadkari had to clarify.
“I nor any other party functionary has ever shown any disrespect to them and there was absolutely no question of anyone calling for an explanation from them, and not the least, demanding disciplinary action against them,” he said.
“Reports in a section of the media indicating that I have suggested to the party president Amit Shah to initiate disciplinary action against them are absolutely incorrect and misleading,” he added.
Meanwhile, Venkaiah Naidu sent an indirect message to veterans.
“Would have been better if these issues were raised in the party forum rather than in public, but we take it seriously nevertheless. I don’t discuss intra-party matters in media as I have been the president of the party before,” he said.
This essentially shows that they are open to discussions, but not in full public view.
It is noteworthy that Home Minister Rajnath Singh struck a distinctly different note, when he spoke on the issue on Thursday. Singh was of the view that Advani and Joshi have contributed immensely to the growth of the BJP, and so the party should listen to them. His comment is directed more towards the party, and is not entirely dismissive of the seniors’ ‘revolt’.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that seniors will be “waiting and watching” the leadership’s response. The Bihar defeat, after the one in Delhi has offered them the rare opportunity to get back their stake in the party. Their relegation to the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ certainly didn’t go down well with the seniors.
That Advani still holds political ambitions is no secret. His opposition to Modi is long known. This is the best opportunity they have, and will look to make the most of it. On the other hand, the party will look to engage with them, so that no more salvos are fired.