What next for BJP?

Though BJP president Rajnath Singh took upon himself the responsibility for party's defeat in the recent elections during the two-day National Executive meet, he also said that "BJP believes in collective responsibility both in victory as well in defeat," which as well may be true. But where did the BJP go wrong – winning only 116 seats in the Lok Sabha elections as opposed to the 138 seats it won in 2004?

Let's begin with the constant petty-minded infighting in the party, especially the bickering between Rajnath Singh and Arun Singh. Besides, Rajnath Singh is openly ridiculed by the BJP's "brilliant" brigade that includes Arun Jaitley, Arun Shourie, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sushma Swaraj, etc. This led many to believe that BJP is a divided house which cost the party the elections.

Then the misguided hate speech of Varun Gandhi. Hindutva is something that has lost its appeal and people are sick of hate politics. BJP should realize that no party can afford to make enemies with the minorities and hope to win. BJP should have fired Varun Gandhi and reaped electoral benefits but it didn't and thereby squandered an opportunity to project a secular image. It can be said that Varun Gandhi by making his inflammatory speech against Muslims single-handedly derailed BJP's campaign. To Varun Gandhi's rashness, his cousin Rahul Gandhi's projected charm and decency stood out in contrast, thereby ensuring Congress success.

Furthermore, the temple issue further tarnished its reputation, and the party got another hit when BJP leaders ridiculed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a ‘nikama (useless). Mr. Singh commands tremendous respect all over India and by indulging in such petty name calling, BJP leadership showed itself to be shallow and lost esteem in the eyes of the people.

Mistreatment of BJP cadres by its top honchos is not a secret. Party analysts admit that the BJP cadres, who feel dejected and ignored, have willy-nilly spelt the doom of the party. An analysis of the working of BJP top leadership clearly shows that in their scheme of things the morale of an average BJP worker is last. Also, fruits of power are always shared by a few at the top. In contrast, the Congress is generous in the way it treats individuals – party workers, intellectuals, former bureaucrats, judges, journalists, etc. – some of who work tirelessly and silently behind the scenes. A case in point was the appointment of Shivraj Patel as Home Minister during Congress' previous rule even though he did not win the election.

But most importantly is the fact that BJP's top brass is aging and there is a dearth of able young leaders to fill in the vacuum. BJP needs infusion of young blood that will revitalize it and usher in a fresh start. BJP also needs to shed its "train compartment mentality" and evolve a system to encourage young leaders at all levels. As Mr. Advani so aptly put it recently, "We must identify, train, groom and empower third, fourth and fifth generation of leaders in the BJP. Our leadership planning should take into account the party's needs for the next twenty years." Only then will BJP become a winning force again.  

- Editor