‘Advani has lost the moral stature to lead the BJP’

MG Vaidya on what ails Advani, Modi and the BJP at large. Also, his set of remedies

In a candid interviwe, Rashtriya Swayam-sevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue MG Vaidya asserts that the BJP’s flip-flop on ideology has confused both voters and the party cadre. Careful to avoid directly commenting on the BJP conclave in Delhi, he is, however, clear that it is time for Advani to let go of the party’s leadership.

Q Was Advani the right choice as Vajpayee’s successor?

A Shri Advani had lost the moral stature to lead the party after his encomium about Mr Jinnah. His age too was a distraction.

Q Was projecting Narendra Modi as the BJP’s future PM responsible for the party’s debacle?

A It was unfortunate and unwise to suggest the eligibility of Shri Modi as PM in the midst of the election campaign. Only the enemies of the BJP could have thought of it.

Q How does the RSS feel about Modi leading the BJP in the future?

A I don’t think that the RSS has any special proclivity towards Mr Modi.

Q Do you feel that Varun Gandhi is projecting Hindutva in the right sense?

A I had already opined that such hateful speeches, if at all those were delivered, do not help any organisation. Hindutva is a principle of harmony and not intimidation.

Q Are ideological changes within the BJP responsible for its debacle?

A The frequent ideological changes that the BJP made created confusion among people. That affected the party’s image.

Q There is talk in the BJP that the forthcoming meet of the RSS will sort out the leadership issue within the BJP. Given the power struggle within the BJP, will it be possible to resolve the leadership issue?

A I don’t think that the RSS will involve itself in sorting out the problems of the BJP. The election results may be discussed. But the main agenda of the meet will not be focused on the BJP.

Q The BJP has blown hot and cold on the Ram Mandir issue. Has the party lost the faith of Hindus?

A Nobody believed that the BJP is sincere in building a magnificent Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The people don’t trust that the BJP is serious about it. After all, the proof of the pudding will lie in its eating.

Q Has coalition politics diluted the BJP’s basic ideology?

A Yes. The BJP was the foremost party in the coalition with 182 seats to its credit. The BJP ought to have insisted on at least one or two subjects dear to its heart. It is possible the party may not have been able to form the government at that time, but it would have surely enhanced its popularity and strength. Had it been out of power in 1999 due to its firmness on its core ideology, in the succeeding election, it, on its own, would have crossed the figure of 200.

Q Is the organisation taking a back-seat to power mongers within the BJP?

A At present, the party’s organisation appears to be a formality. I don’t think the party cadre has any say in formulating and implementing the party’s policies. The bureaucracy is trusted more than the party functionaries. Because of the relegation of the party to a dysfunctional entity, the cadre feel neglected.

The organisation is remembered only in times of agitations, but there is no scope for any agitation when the party assumes power. Then the cadre feels neglected and loses all enthusiasm for working diligently for the success of the party in the election. Besides, because of a complete disconnect between the government and the party, the cadre becomes a dumb spectator of the misdeeds and corruption in the bureaucracy, which come to represent the party’s image.

Q Hindutva has been the BJP’s beacon. Suddenly the beacon does not seem to be lighting the BJP’s path to power. Should the BJP give up Hindutva as is being suggested from within and outside the party?

A I had suggested in my article published in the Tarun Bharat of 14 June, that the BJP could experiment with the scheme of abandoning Hindutva. But now the president of the BJP has declared that the party would never abandon Hindutva. Therefore your question becomes irrelevant.

Q From a ‘party with a difference’ to a ‘party with differences’, what is the problem with the BJP?

A It is due to the neglect of the organisational wing. When even the officers in the organisation aspire to positions of power, groupism and dissidence are bound to crop up. For the time being, you may sweep the dissidence under the carpet but not for good. A bludgeon of disciplinary action may throttle voices of dissent; but it will not create discipline. Look at the RSS. There is no ‘Disciplinary Action Committee’ there. And still it is a most disciplined organisation.

Q The BJP is struggling for a foothold across the country. What remedial measures do you suggest to strengthen its foothold?

A But for the BJP to gain strength, it must pay attention to the organisational structure. At the centre, there should be at least two important functionaries who will never contest an election, who shall not be aspiring to any post in the government, and who will be completely devoted to the organisation’s health.

Such an organisation will be able to guide the government and shall be a liaison between the government and cadre. Those heading such an organisation will have the moral strength to subdue group leaders. In the selection of the candidates, it is the organisational office bearers who should have the final word.

Q What are the future challenges before the RSS?

A The same as before—to unite Hindus divided into manifold castes and sects; to instill a sense of belonging to the nation; to impress upon Muslims and Christians they must accept the validity of other faiths. In short, to make them a part and parcel of the all-encompassing Hindu Samaj, [as done with] Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs.

Q It has been said in the past that the RSS uniform (particularly the khaki shorts) need to be changed to attract present-day youth. Are there any such plans to change the style of the uniform?

A I don’t think that a particular type of dress attracts people. You can come in any attire to the shakha every day. However, for physical training exercises, shorts are convenient. You can come in Bermuda shorts. Khaki shorts are prescribed only for particular functions when the Swayamsevaks are asked to come in full uniform. The RSS uniform has changed from time to time. Personally I don’t think that khaki shorts should be changed. It is good. It makes you shed your personal pride and ego and makes you feel one with the rest.

About The Author

Haima Deshpande