HVK Archives: "Not retiring from public life" - Advani
"Not retiring from public life" - Advani - Organiser
Shyam Khosla
()
6 July 1997
Title: "Not retiring from public life" - Advani
Author: Shyam Khosla
Publication: Organiser
Date: July 6, 1997
Politely but firmly rejecting Bihar Government's request to use a
bullet-proof car and vest during his journey through the troubled
State, BJP President L.K. Advani takes threats to his life in his
stride. He however, blames New Delhi for its "criminal amnesia" over
Bihar. Advani is extremely gratified by the massive response to his Yatra
in West Bengal and believes it will enable his party to get a breakthrough
in the Communist bastion. In a wide-ranging interview to Shyam Khosla
aboard his Rath, Advani clarifies that he has no plan to retire. Excepts:
You have been reported to have said in a recent interview that you are
considering retirement from public life. What are your plans?
I have been misunderstood just because I mentioned that I am past 70.
Retirement from public life is far from my thoughts. All I said in the
interview was, I will not be party President after October. As for my
future plans, I have not yet decided what role to play for the cause dear
to my heart.
You have also been taking about bout inadequacies to be the Prime
Minister. Don't you think such matters are best left to the party and the
people?
I am conscious of my inadequacies. Leaving the decision to the party and
the people will be idea but I don't want to be seen as a prime ministerial
candidate. Hence, the announcement about Atal Behari Vajpayee.
India Today has quoted you as saying that in a pluralistic
society, it is wrong to be seen as being ideologically committed. Do
you mean to say no Prime Minister should be ideologically committed?
It is a misquote. I told Swapan Dasgupta of India Today that it was
politically incorrect to be perceive to be "ideologically rigid".
Unfortunately, a section of the media has projected me as "rigid". This
is not the case with Vajpayeeji. I believe he is most suited to be the
next Prime Minister.
Did you say that BJP should stop attaching primacy to the party President?
Do you believe that the party chief should be a nominee of the
leader of the party's parliamentary wing?
I was misunderstood on this point as well. I gave the British example
to show how the Conservative Party had resolved the problem. I did not
and do not want the British system to be followed.
Having said that, let me state that in the pre-Independence era,
Congress used to have a new president every year but everyone knew and
appreciated that Gandhi, Nehru and Patel were the real leaders. A
situation may arise in the BJP in which the party chief, whosoever he
may be, will not be the final authority in party affairs. All decisions
will taken by a leader or a team of senior leaders who may not hold any
office.
Organisational elections in Congress and the Janata Dal have thrown
these parties into crises. Do you think limited democracy within the
party will ensure better unity and discipline?
What is limited democracy? I am firmly against curbing internal
democracy. Congressmen have got used to dynastic hierarchy. Their problem
is that they don't know how to handle the new situation. As for JD, it is
not a cohesive party. The party elections forced by the Election
Commission have pushed the party into a major split.
I believe that there should be absolute freedom within the party for
member to express their opinion but the tendency to air difference in
public should be firmly curbed.
BJP had been deeply concerned over the growth of factionalism in
State units. How do you propose to deal with the problem?
Rapid growth of the party during the past 10 years and political
pollution in the country are responsible for the growth of groupism in
the party. We are deeply concerned and held a meeting at Virar to
evolve a strategy. We are taking corrective measures to check the
malady. These things have to be done and not discussed in the media.
All parties, including yours, are increasingly choosing candidates on
caste basis. This over-emphasis on caste factor is further dividing the
already fractured society. Your comments?
There should be no overemphasis on the caste factor. As for BJP, at one
point of time we totally disregarded the caste factor. We have now come to
the conclusion that a person has a legitimate pride in his multiple
identity, one of which is his caste. Hence, due consideration has to be
given to this factor. My party does not lay overemphasis on the caste of
the candidate.
There appear to be two schools of thought in BJP and Sangh Parivar.
One section favours soft Hindutva, the other assertive Hindutva. Your view?
BJP has gained in strength during the past one decade because of its
commitment to Hindutva. It is our ideological mascot. There is no
reason to be apologetic about it. But I don't see what you mean about
soft or assertive Hindutva. Hindutva is what it is. This distinction is
good or making a good copy I can, however, appreciate the difference
between Hindutva pursued by the BJP and the one followed by Shiv Sena.
The popular response to your Yatra is by all means beyond your
expectations. You had said at Delhi that it should not be compared with
the Ram Rath Yatra as no emotive issue is involved. Then, how come this
response?
I have been overwhelmed by the stupendous popular response,
particularly in Kerala, Orissa and West Bengal - there States where we
have no big presence. One of the factors is the total disillusionment of
the masses with the Congress and the UF. They perceive BJP as the only
ray of hope on the dark horizon. This perception will get further
entrenched in the public mind after the Yatra is over. The common feeling
among the people is that BJP is the party which can be trusted to work for
the welfare of the people.
What will be the political fallout of your pilgrimage?
My party will gain immensely at the cost of the Congress and the United
Front, particularly the Janata Dal and the Communists. BJP and its present
allies will get a clear majority in the 12th Lok Sabha.
There are reports that you have been advised by Bihar Administration to
use a bulletproof car and wear bulletproof vest during your Yatra thought
Bihar because of the threat perception. Your response?
I have thanked the Bihar Administration for their concern for my life but
I have firmly told them that I would travel on the Rath through the
troubled State.
I am aware that a beleaguered Chief Minister can resort to diversionary
tactics but I refused to give in. Come what may, I travel in my Rath and
will not be cowed down by threats. I did not expect anything better from
Laloo Prasad Yadav. My grouse is against the Prime Minister. New Delhi's
criminal amnesia is responsible for the chaos in Bihar. The Centre
should not lose a moment in dismissing Yadav and holding fresh
elections in Bihar.
Back
Top
|
