The Hindu Business Line : Problems in the Parivar

IN THE battle of nerves between the BJP and the rest of the Sangh Parivar — particularly the RSS — the former seems desperate to prove to itself and its admirers that it will not take lying down the insults heaped on its top brass by the leading lights of the Parivar. But it is only a matter of time before it gives up the effort.

After two days of `will-he-won't-he' speculation that the RSS had demanded the resignation of BJP president, Mr L. K. Advani, , the party spokesperson, Ms Sushma Swaraj, clarified that the RSS had not asked Mr Advani to step down and that he would remain BJP chief. But when quizzed on whether he would complete his three-year term, she would not unequivocally say so, indicating that the crisis within the Parivar was far from over.

The RSS continued to read out homilies to the BJP on how it would not tolerate any deviation from its core principles, how ideology was more important than individuals and how the RSS considered Mr Advani's remarks on M. A. Jinnah as a deviation from its core ideology. And it made it very clear, without actually saying so, that it cannot any longer see its one-time hero continue as party chief. By humiliating the BJP's "tallest leader", the RSS is effectively whipping the party and diminishing its public image.

But while the RSS leaders can afford to sit in their ivory towers and make grand proclamations, as they are not obliged to go out and get votes during elections, it is tragic to see the BJP leadership cowering under the Sangh outfit's wrath and unable to come out in defence of their leader. What better proof of the pathetic plight in which the BJP leaders find themselves than that the National Democratic Alliance Convenor, Mr George Fernandes, had to come to Mr Advani's defence when he urged the Sangh to "confine itself to socio-cultural activities" and refrain from taking on a political role. Of course, he was quickly asked by the RSS spokesman, and later also some BJP leaders, not to interfere in the Parivar's "internal matters".

But the point he raised deserves to be debated. The crucial question that arises from the nearly month-old drama and battle of nerves among the Sangh outfits, particularly the RSS and the BJP, pertains to the stranglehold the RSS wishes to retain on the BJP even as its chief, Mr K. S. Sudarshan, spares no opportunity to show his contempt for politics and politicians. How come nobody is asking the organisation, which claims to speak for India and Indians with undisputed authority, to prove its "representative" character? It may sound ludicrous to draw a parallel between the Hurriyat Conference of Jammu and Kashmir and the RSS. But does not the Hurriyat too continue to claim to have the "moral authority" to be the main, if not the sole, representative of the aspirations of the Kashmiri people?

It is another matter that the Hurriyat is yet to prove that representative character by contesting and winning elections. Forget having to go to the people to prove its moral, social, cultural or any other authority, the RSS has utter contempt for politics. But this does not prevent it from exercising such a stranglehold over its political arm, the BJP, that the latter cannot voice an opinion that goes against RSS ideology even slightly. But the irony is that the BJP cannot deny the kind of strength and manifold advantages — political and otherwise — that it has been reaping from from Sangh outfits such as the RSS, to strengthen its position politically and reach positions of power. It is not as if the party did not get its pinpricks from the RSS and the VHP during the six years it led the NDA coalition in Delhi. The former Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had to suffer the ignominy of both the RSS pracharaks as well as the sadhus and sants of the VHP calling him all kinds of names, and even abusing him, for what they called his failure to construct a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya during the NDA regime. Not only Mr Vajpayee, but also Mr Advani and second-rung BJP leaders, got the worst of the Sangh outfits' ire on this issue.

But the difference between then and now is huge. BJP leaders could then afford to ignore homilies, insults and more, armed as they were with the spoils of power. At the helm of the government, they then had a job to do and, to be fair to the party, it did provide a decent government. That is why its defeat in the polls was both surprising and difficult to take.

But, now, sans the trappings of power, the BJP is hardly able to stand up to the bullying tactics of the RSS. And this is not surprising considering that leaders such as Mr Murli Manohar Joshi and Mr Narendra Modi, to mention just two, owe their status in the BJP to the RSS. Hence, it is not surprising that today when it comes to choosing between Mr Advani and the RSS, most BJP leaders find themselves unable to cut off the umbilical cord that ties them to the Sangh.

Thus, does Mr Advani find himself so isolated within the BJP. Apparently, all that his party colleagues are willing to offer him is a face-saving measure — he need not step down immediately while the media glare is on the crisis within the Parivar. But there is little doubt that sooner than later, Mr Advani will have to go.

What must indeed be galling for the man is the bickering within the party as the desire to don the party chief's mantle comes to the fore. But what is important is not who will replace Mr Advani or when. The crucial factor is that, handed on a platter the chance to assert itself within the Parivar and prove that in a democracy political clout is as important as "social and cultural" clout, the BJP has failed to grab it. Its leadership seems bent on proving that the party is but a pale shadow of what it projected itself as just before the 2004 Lok Sabha elections — strong, shining, and almost invincible.

In the coming weeks the country will see the RSS putting its stamp of supremacy over the BJP, and along with it all the Sangh outfits. Just because the RSS spokesman, Mr Ram Madhav, says that its not the Sangh's business to tell the BJP who its president should or not be, it does not mean that Mr Advani's days as party president are not numbered. But the treatment meted out to a leader such as Mr Advani, not only by the RSS, but also by the BJP itself, should put off the incoming president. If this is what the RSS can do to Mr Advani, imagine the plight of a Bangaru Laxman or even a Venkaiah Naidu. The latter had to go after losing a general election — no small matter. But Mr Advani is being subjected to such humiliation for daring to say that the vision of Pakistan's founder was for a "secular" country.

(Response may be sent to rasheeda@thehindu.co.in)

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