From criticism to praise, RSS chief goes soft on Vajpayee

From criticism to praise, RSS chief goes soft on Vajpayee
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

PUNE, MARCH 25: Showering praises on the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief K Sudarshan today ridiculed the opposition demand for Vajpayee’s resignation.Sudarshan, who was in town to release for publication ‘Jananayak’, a pictorial biography of Atal Behari Vajpayee, said ‘Congress President Sonia Gandhi should herself resign on moral grounds after her long time private secretary Vincent George was implicated by the CBI for amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income’.

Sudarshan pooh poohed the demand for Vajpayee’s resignation on moral grounds asking who was raising the issue of resignation of Prime Minister on moral grounds. Citing several examples in the history like ‘defeat of Indian army at the time of Chinese aggression, judgement of Allahabad High Court, declaring Indira Gandhi’s election invalid, black period of emergency, Bofors scandal and purchasing of Lok Sabha members for survival of the government’, Sudarshan said the opposition parties demanded Prime Minister’s resignation on every occasion but in vain.

After the Tehelka disclosure, at least the BJP chief Bangaru Laxman and Defence Minister George Fernandes had steped down from their respective posts, Sudarshan said, adding, it was for the first time that the government was willing to have discussion in the Parliament over the issue and conducting full-fledged inquiry into the episode but the opposition was merely interested in taking it on the streets.

Raising doubts about the motives of Tehelka, Sudarshan asked why should Vajpayee resign over a deal that never took place in the first instance. Besides, there was no direct allegation against both the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister, Sudarshan stated.

The RSS chief said it would be very difficult to run the country if demand for resignation was made before completion of the probe.

“Running the government of 25 political parties, having different ideologies, nature and priorities for a period of three years is the most significant achievement of Vajpayee, RSS chief said, adding that it was possible only because of towering personality of Vajpayee.

Sudarshan said Indian had attained a new image in the world because of Vajpayee, who went ahead with Pokharan blasts despite pressures from the international community. This and the victory in Kargil had put the country in a new light, Sudarshan said.

Sudarshan praised his long time associate, reciting Vajpayee’s famous poems like ‘Amar Aag hai, Amar Aag hai’ and ‘Hindu Tan Man, Hindu Jeevan, Rag Rag Hindu Mera Parichay’ during his speech. He said Vajpayee’s life was not merely an open book but also transparent.

‘Atalji dedicated his entire life for certain values and his personality has several dimensions like that Veer Savarkar”, the nostalgic RSS chief remarked, and added that Vajpayee had left long lasting stamp on Indian politics. Sudarshan also concluded his speech by reciting Vajpayee’s another poem.

The function was significant in the Sangh Parivar circles since it was first after the sensational Tehelka disclosure.