Has the Bharatiya Janata Party turned its collective back on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee? That was the question being asked in hushed tones as the party's national executive meeting began in Mumbai today.
For the record Vajpayee remains the party's tallest leader. He will make the valedictory address to the national executive on June 24. But it would appear that his star is on the descendant.
Vajpayee had complained loudly about Narendra Modi continuing as Gujarat chief minister, saying his handling, or mishandling, of the riots in 2002 had contributed to the party's defeat in the 2004 general election. He had even said that the national executive would discuss Gujarat at its three-day session.
But if BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu's speech is anything to go by, it would appear that the party leadership is determined not to discuss Modi or Gujarat, even if that means snubbing its tallest leader. In his inaugural speech at the meeting, Naidu made it clear that unlike other parties the BJP does not blame individuals for defeat or praise them for victory.
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In the same vein, he said criticism should be positive and constructive. Rather than merely finding out what had gone wrong, it is necessary to overcome faults within the party. This, again, is seen as a veiled reference to Vajpayee's harsh criticism of Modi after the BJP's defeat instead of closing ranks in the party's moment of distress.
Naidu, who is believed to be close to Leader of the Opposition L K Advani, also harked back to the BJP's old adage about Hindutva with yesteryear's catchline: Justice for all, appeasement of none. The reference to appeasement was in the context of the BJP seeking Muslim votes just before the general election.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray declined an invitation to dine with Vajpayee and Advani. He has also said that Modi must not be removed at this critical juncture.
The Shiv Sena is the BJP's oldest ally and an arch votary of Hindutva. Immediately after the National Democratic Alliance's defeat in the Lok Sabha election, Thackeray had criticized the BJP for seeking to dilute its Hindutva image and attract Muslim votes, saying that such measures had alienated the party's traditional supporters.
At the national executive meeting, Narendra Modi is very much present while his chief opponent within the BJP in Gujarat, Keshubhai Patel, is conspicuous by his absence. Patel has cited knee pain as the reason. But it did not prevent him from venting his anger at Modi and claiming that a 'mini-Emergency' prevails in the state.
Addressing a press conference, party spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi insisted that nothing must be read into Patel's absence. "The national executive comprises 200 members and obviously some people will be absent for any reason, including ill health. Patel had told us earlier that he was not feeling well and won't be attending," he said.
Asked if the party would discuss Gujarat, he said the national executive would discuss all the states, not just Gujarat, and analyse the reasons for its performance. But he reiterated the BJP stance that there was no question of making any changes at this juncture.
Earlier in the morning, senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan too said the question of changing Modi was now a "closed" chapter, thus making it clear that despite Vajpayee's criticism Modi would stay on as chief minister.
In his press briefing, Naqvi also flayed the United Progressive Alliance government's handling of the Ishrat Jahan case. He said that by questioning the police version, many political parties were simply playing the 'pseudo-secularism' card for political gains, and in the bargain helping the spread of terrorism. He added that the BJP would strongly oppose the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act as promised in the UPA's common minimum programme.
Over the next two days, the BJP will present a political resolution that will seek to outline the political agenda for the party in the opposition and the line to be taken for the forthcoming assembly elections. Advani, considered the party's foremost leader now, will also address the national executive and outline the next steps for a party that is still grappling with its shock defeat.