Advani gives headache to BJP and RSS New Delhi: Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani has once again put the party and its ideological fountainhead Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in a bind. Yet to reconcile with the fact that, despite his opposition, the Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi was elevated in the party hierarchy — a move that saw Advani temporarily resign from all party posts in June this year, the latter virtually lashed out at Modi without naming him on Thursday. Advani attended the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Ford where the prime minister traditionally unfurls the national flag and addresses the nation. Advani wished prime minister Manmohan Singh and his cabinet colleagues well before taking on Modi. Modi had criticised prime minister Singh’s Independence Day speech when he hoisted the Indian flag at Bhuj in Gujarat followed by his own speech. The two speeches were touted as one by the outgoing prime minister and the other by the prime minister in waiting. Modi had torn into what is seen as Singh’s last Independence Day speech as the prime minister, accusing him of promoting dynastic politics. He also challenged Singh for a debate on economy and the route India needs to take to become a developed nation. Modi also criticised Singh for failing to defend Indian territory in light of repeated breach of ceasefire on borders India shares with Pakistan and China. Advani, without naming Modi, had expressed his disapproval by saying there should be no criticism along political lines on auspicious days like Independence Day and appealed to everyone to work towards the development of the country. Advani, once a mentor of Modi, is opposed to his former student. He tried to prevent Modi’s appointment as chairman of the central campaign committee, and after failing quit from all party posts. He withdrew the resignation following the intervention of the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. However, the truce proved to be temporary as Advani lost no time in attacking Modi. While many agree with Advani’s contention that a chief minister should not criticise the prime minister on a national day, his criticism of Modi is also being seen as professional envy considering Modi is all set to be named as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. Senior leaders of the RSS, though embarrassed at the development, are said to be in a quandary and not sure how to formulate their future strategy. Advani gave sleepless nights to BJP in June by accusing party leaders of acting in their own interest. His rants are often tapped by the ruling Congress party to target BJP. Congress party general secretary Digvijay Singh lost no time in creating further fissures between Advani and Modi. “On Modi’s speech, I and Mr Advani are on the same page. Modi’s abrasive hunger for power has no limits,” the Congress party general secretary tweeted.
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:07 +0000
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