BJP to rethink on alliance politics

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI, MAY 15. A two-day meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's State-level general secretaries in-charge of the party organisation will be held near here at Jhinjholi from tomorrow to take a comprehensive look at the health of the party organisation. This meeting will take place ahead of the two-day Mussoorie meeting of central party office-bearers on May 20 and 21, which has been expanded to include those in-charge of political affairs of different states.

The task seems to have become urgent in view of the dismal performance of the party in the recently-concluded round of Assembly elections, and the none too bright prospects in the elections to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly less than a year from now.

One of the major issues before the party will be the question of alliances. In two recent instances, the central party leadership virtually over-ruled State unit's decision against an alliance - in Karnataka earlier and now in Assam - spelling disaster for the party. In Assam it practically led to a split, with a large chunk breaking away and setting up its own rival candidates. Should the BJP continue with its open arm policy and get into alliances even at the cost of its own growth in the States? Should the one-point plan of the BJP revolve around keeping the Vajpayee Government afloat?

The questions raised by Ms. Jayalalitha becoming Chief Minister despite her handicap as a person convicted in a corruption case are also expected to be discussed.

The party will also have to think about corruption as a poll issue, considering that it has not worked in Bihar earlier and it has flopped now in Tamil Nadu.

Another issue which may come up is the seeming negative returns for the party with the growing perception that the BJP and its allies have adopted a vindictive approach to its political rivals - again Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav in Bihar, Ms. Jayalalitha in Tamil Nadu, Ms. Sonia Gandhi at the Centre - even as it treats with kidgloves its own tainted friends like Mr. Sukhram.

The Government's refusal to start CBI or police investigations after the Tehelka episode is also a case in point.

Instead of investigating Ms. Jaya Jaitly or Mr. George Fernandes of the Samata Party, it decided to forward Mr. Subramanian Swamy's complaint against Ms. Gandhi to the CBI for investigations.

The party president, Mr. Jana Krishnamurthi, has requested Mr. L.K. Advani, Union Home Minister, to attend both these meetings, but this would depend on time available with Mr. Advani.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : U.S. sees role insolving Kashmir row
Next     : Help maintain balance in S.Asia Pak. tells China