NEW DELHI, Feb 9; Bharatiya Janata Party chief L K Advani's statement to a private TV channel saying he would have no objection serving as Vajpayee's deputy is seen as an obvious attempt to set at rest persistent speculation of a rift between him and Vajpayee. Advani had on Sunday said he was prepared to be deputy prime minister under Vajpayee or serve ``in some other suitable capacity'' in his cabinet if the BJP came to power.According to BJP sources, the move to make Advani deputy PM has a two-fold aim. It would clearly make him more senior to heavyweight allies like George Fernandes and Ramakrishna Hegde (who would also expect senior portfolios).
More important, Advani would have the authority to control a multi-party, multi-ideology cabinet, particularly when Vajpayee is abroad.At the same time there is another line of thinking on the issue within the BJP and RSS.
One school of thought is that creating a Deputy PM's post was not healthy and would send the wrong message. A senior leader toldThe Indian Express: ``So far, the position has been created only to appease someone (as Devi Lal was during the V P Singh Government). We don't believe in this in the BJP,''.There is a belief that it is Advani who calls the shots although Vajpayee is the party's prime ministerial candidate.
Asked about this, Advani replied, ``It doesn't worry me. It's interesting, embarrassing sometimes, but more often amusing.''Advani has made it clear that he will continue to be in a key position if his party comes to power.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
