The BJP’s dilemma..

The setback that the party and the NDA got in the elections has challenged the BJP to come up with a credible plan of action for the future. Of course, this requires the party to introspect and correct all factors that may have contributed to this humiliating defeat.

The party has to think about the future. In the next five years, it will be facing a resurgent Congress led by a charming Rahul Gandhi. The BJP has to make up its mind on the leadership issue and the ideological issue. While the debate on Hindutva is desirable and even necessary for the Indian polity, the party has to wrest back the initiative from the belligerent media and the political adversaries. More often than not, the BJP is forced on the defensive on the issue. It is about time the party came up with a clear cut definition of Hindutva and set an agenda on the same.

 For millions like me, Hindutva is not only about building a Ram temple at Ayodhya or countering the real or perceived attacks made on the Hindu brethren. These are only symbolic gestures at best. What we yearn for is a nation which is proud of its history, which makes use of the rich heritage and knowledge that this history has bestowed upon it and a nation that epitomises the all inclusive Hindu culture. Many of us support the BJP because we believe a rightist party has got a crucial role to play in the Indian political scene. One cannot just wish away the significance of a rightist political party in an essentially conservative society like India. So, the BJP has to get its act right and gear up to play its part effectively. The election results indicate that the voter wants to see a stable government in which the regional parties and the Left would have only a minimal role. The nation wants the Congress and the BJP to be the two stabilising and constructive pillars of Indian politics.

 It is natural that a defeat will cause some disharmony in any party. One has to keep in mind that the Congress is under a dynastic rule. As long as there is a member of Nehru dynasty actively involved in the party, they won’t have any leadership struggle. It is another matter whether this feudalistic system is fitting for the largest party in the world’s largest democracy.

 In BJP and the Left, there will always be scope for leadership struggle as virtually anyone in these parties could aim for the top post.

 I would like a stronger and wiser BJP to emerge from healthy, constructive debate and competition taking place within the party forums. For, the country needs a strong and responsible opposition as much as it needs a stable and sensible government.