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BJP : Back to Hindutva

	January 09, 2006

Rajnath Singh, who took over as BJP president after former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani quit last month, has reaffirmed his commitment to run the party on the basis of its core ideology of Hindutva. In an inter-action with newspersons after taking office, Rajnath Singh said on Jan. 5 that his party is determined to build a majestic Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya and called upon Muslims to take the initiative in this regard.



In a clear rebuff to the party’s political opponents seeking construction of a hospital, or a library at the place of worship of Ram Lalla instead of a Ram Temple, Rajnath Singh said, “I pity those who come up with such an outlandish proposal.”



He said the temple was a symbol of “Sanskritik asmitha” , and a source of inspiration and it would remain so even after thousands of years. “Libraries and hospitals have their own significance, but these are ephemeral. Therefore we talk about cultural nationalism,” asserted the new BJP chief.



Rajnath Singh’s statement, coming as it did nearly a fortnight before the slated National Council meeting in New Delhi on Jan. 20, where his selection for the post will be formally ratified, apparently made all the politically correct noises.



The coming Assembly elections in five states, including West Bengal, Kerala and Assam and particularly next year’s crucial Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, are at present at the Centre of his attention besides the issue of taking the party “back to basics” - an issue extensively dwelt with at the recently concluded silver jubilee conclave in Mumbai and a primary concern of the RSS.





No problems with RSS



Referring to BJP’s relations with RSS, the new party president dismissed his predecessor Advani’s charge that there was a general perception of RSS interference in BJP affairs. Asserting that the RSS did not meddle in party affairs, he said he is more than willing to consult the leadership of the parent body on crucial decisions of the party.



“The RSS never interferes...the BJP is a party with nationalism as its ideology. Similarly, the RSS is a socio-cultural organization with the same ideology. Whenever I feel I have to take some big decision, since I come from that family, I will seek their direction. For that, I do not feel hesitation or shame,” he said in an interview.



That’s not all. Talking to reporters, Singh indicated the possibility of more full-time RSS pracharaks (preachers) being inducted into the party’s central team of office-bearers overseeing organizational activities.



Further more, Singh called for a nationwide debate on the core Hindutva issues of Uniform Civil Code, abrogation of Article 370 and construction of the Ram Temple, saying efforts should be made to forge a consensus on them.



The BJP chief showed that he was keen on maintaining good relations with other members of the Sangh Parivar, particularly, the VHP. He visited VHP chief Ashok Singhal for discussions.





Collective leadership



Speaking in New Delhi on Monday, Jan. 2, Rajnath Singh said all major party decisions would be taken collectively. He said that corruption, indiscipline and immorality would not be tolerated at any cost. He said improving the image of the party, expansion of its support base, strengthening the National Democratic Alliance and aggressive opposition to the anti-people policies of the ruling United Progressive Alliance top the BJP’s priority list. Observers expect that the six BJP MPs indicted by Parliament in the Cash-for Questions scandal would be expelled from the party also. This would be different from Advani’s stand, who had walked out of the Lok Sabha and dissociated himself and the party from the expulsion of the MPs on December 23.



Lashing out at the UPA, Rajnath Singh described the Centre as “anti-people” and “anti-farmer.” Unless farmers were given a guaranteed income, credit at lower rates and a remunerative price for their produce, the tragedy of suicides among them would continue unabated. The party’s programmes would aim at “mass struggles” to send a clear signal that the BJP was ready to take up everyday problems faced by the people, he said.





New team selection put off



The new BJP president has postponed picking his new team till after the National Council meeting on Jan. 20 to ratify his appointment. Earlier, Rajnath Singh had indicated that he would announce his new team of office bearers and national executive in the first week of January. But on January 5, he indicated that all appointments would be made only after the National Council meeting.



The decision which took even senior members of the outgoing team by surprise, stems from three reasons. First, Rajnath is unwilling to go in for a revamp during the inauspicious malmas - the month will end with Makar Sankranti on January 14.



The more important reason, though, is that he wants the National Council to ratify his election to the top post before taking any major decisions. A formal ratification is particularly important since questions have been raised about the manner in which he was “selected” and then annointed, without paying heed to the necessary “constitutional” procedures.



The third reason is that Rajnath needs more time to get people of his choice on board without alienating powerful members of the old team.



In that context, Rajnath’s compliments to his erstwhile bete noire Kalyan Singh were significant. Both Venkaiah Naidu and Kalyan Singh - vice presidents under Advani - are believed to be averse to working under the new president.



While there is talk of drafting a senior Sangh pracharak - the name of former ABVP organizing secretary, Dattatreya Hosable is doing the rounds - he may not agree to be deputed to the BJP.





BJP to continue support to Navin Patnaik Govt.



Despite pressure from a faction of the Orissa BJP, the party has decided to continue support to the Navin Patnaik Government. Rajnath Singh told a party delegation from Orissa that there is no question of withdrawing support to the Patnaik Government, but matters that have soured the relationship between the Biju Janata Dal and the BJP state unit would be sorted out.



Rajnath Singh reportedly spoke to Navin Patnaik who has agreed to improve the relief and rehabilitation package offered to relatives of those killed in the police firing at Kalinga Nnagar recently. The party’s state unit president Jual Oram and other leaders from Orissa had met Rajnath Singh. Several of them demanded that the BJP withdraw support to the BJD government and join the protests against police firing on tribals called by Opposition parties in the state.



Meanwhile, the State Government has ordered a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge into the Kalinga Nagar incident. Twelve tribals and one policeman were killed in the clash between the police and tribal people on Monday, Jan. 2. The tribals were protesting against the takeover of their land for setting up a steel plant. The land belongs to the tribals who had not been given either adequate compensation or rehabilitation.