04

JUNE 09-15, 2013

behind the news

Cast Away
Advanis sulk will erode his authority, whatever be the outcome in Goa
:: Nistula Hebbar

Political Yatra
1942
Joins RSS

1952

Becomes member of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee-led Jana Sangh Becomes president of Jana Sangh

1975

enior BJP leader Arun Jaitley has an interesting piece of organisational wisdom he cares to share when in an expansive mood. Advice, he says, rendered to him by the man responsible for grooming the entire contemporary line of BJPs leadership, LK Advani. Once, many years ago, I had a serious difference of opinion with someone in the party, and wanted to write a letter of complaint to Advaniji about it. Advaniji told me not do so, he said that putting such things on record will only perpetuate the differences, not resolve them as a record will exist for all time to come, he said. Instead, sorting out the matter informally, was his chosen method, Jaitley added. With the BJPs Goa executive now reduced to a face-off between Advani and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, that advice seems to have been a product of a bygone era. Advani has put his dissent on record in the most decisive manner possible, putting a major spanner in the works for any plans to anoint Modi as the uncontested leader of the BJP in the 2014 polls.

1977

Becomes I&B minister in the Janata Party govt at the Centre

1979

Quits govt over dualmembership issue Helps found BJP Becomes president of BJP; holds the post again from 1993-98 and 2004-06 Undertakes first of his 6 yatras, the Ram Rath yatra to demand a Ram temple at the site of Babri Masjid Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha; again from 2004-09 Becomes home minister in 13-day Vajpayee govt Retains portfolio for a second stint, this time for 13 months Third stint as home minister in the NDA govt; becomes deputy PM Chairman of BJP parliamentary party

1980

1986

Friends Turned Foes

To the many supporters of Modi, the BJPs succession plan appears a no-brainer. The era of Vajpayee-Advani is over, the next generations most popular leader is Modi, and hence, he should be at the helm of affairs for 2014. To them Advani appears to be a has-been leader clinging to past glory and authority, which has long since eroded, beginning with his vouching for Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnahs secular credentials in 2005. Advani should behave like a statesman, and he should make way for the next generation, says Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal. In the past, not many would have anticipated this rivalry between Advani and Modi. In 2002, ironically before another party convention in Goa, it was Advani who saved Modis chief ministership in Gujarat after the riots in the state. He argued vociferously with the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was against the continuation of Modi, to allow him to stay. Advaniji argued that removing Modi would send the wrong signal to the party cadre which was solidly behind him, said a senior leader privy to those developments. In 2005, Advani was completely isolated in the party after he made remarks extolling Jinnahs secular virtues

1990

1991-93

1996

1998

1999

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