Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Internal dissension plagues BJP

The BJP is no longer a party with a difference but it is the party in deep internal bickering that was amply reflected in the expulsion of its MP, former Union Minister and an ace lawyer of the nation Ram Jethmalani for six years for breach of discipline. His expulsion exposes the internal dissension in the BJP over the claim of prime ministerial candidate for 2014 Lok Sabha elections among its top ranking leaders. Ram Jethamali is the first BJP leaders who advocated for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for prime ministerial candidate of the BJP and since then Modi’s name comes first whenever there is any talk about the issue. Jethmalani created an atmosphere favourable for the BJP posture boy Narendra Modi to be in reckoning on top for prime ministerial candidature. It is almost certain that the BJP top leadership is vertically divided on the name of Naredra Modi and his detractors within the party have started trying their best to sideline Modi loyalists one by one. And Ram Jethmalani is the first victim of the haunt of Modi loyalists within the party. Gujarat Chief Minister Naredra Modi is undoubtedly the most popular leader of the BJP to be counted for the post of prime minister. BJP knows it too well. That is why Modi was made the member of BJP Parliamentary Board, the highest decision making body of the party, to show the party cadres among whom he is the most popular that Modi is BJP's best bet in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. But the internecine battle runs so deep among 2nd generation leadership after Vajpayee and Advani that one is always at the other to belittle each other. Ram Jethmalani is outspoken and known for expressing his views that may not conform to the party's view. He is also the first to demand the ouster of the former party president Nitin Gadkari when his name allegedly figured in Purti Group Compani's corrupt practices for which he was suspended for raising his voice in public. He also took stand completely opposed to the BJP that favoured the Congress-led UPA government over the appointment of CBI director Ranjit Sinha. In reaction to his expulsion, Ram Jethamalani has said that he was expelled under the influence of anti-black money lobby active in the party. He has been fighting for uproot to this corrupt UPA government and recovery of black money. His expulsion will prove to be suicidal for the BJP. Ram Jethamalani may not be a mass-based leader of the BJP but the people praise his straightforward behaviour and fearless approach towards the issue of corruption. His expulsion might prove to be detrimental for the BJP. Jethmalani's expulsion might send the message out among the public that whoever raised voice against corruption within party forum would be shown the door in BJP and its top ranking leaders are divided over the choice of prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

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