Opinion A good start by Gadkari

Gadkari also struck the right notes on many other issues: his emphasis on Antyodaya (development of the poorest of the poor); the need to expand the BJP’s stagnant geographical base,which is indeed shrinking in some important states like Uttar Pradesh; the need to spread its influence among important new social categories such as Dalits; a conciliatory appeal to Muslims to support the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya; the importance of regular and institutionalised training of party activists in governance matters (climate change was one of the topics on which a presentation was arranged for the delegates); and a directive for every party worker to get involved in at least one seva (social service) and one vikas (development) project. Gadkari is by no means the first BJP president to emphasise these points. Also,it is not at all certain that the party will make significant progress on the action plan he has laid out. But all those who know Gadkari know one thing about him: he is earnest,he welcomes fresh ideas from wherever they come,and,most importantly,he has no personal agenda that undermines the uplifting agenda he is trying to construct for the BJP in cooperation with his colleagues. In any organisational restructuring,the sincerity of the leader is the foremost requirement. Nobody can accuse Gadkari of lacking in this vital quality.

Of course,no miracles are waiting to happen for a party in which far too many things have gone wrong in recent years. But what is already discernible is that the BJP has regained its internal equilibrium,thereby proving what I have often written in the past—namely,that it is foolhardy to deny its organisational resilience. A less ideologically committed and more personality-driven party would have split under the impact of two major electoral defeats. Other parties have indeed suffered such divisions. Remarkably,the BJP has stood united. This is no doubt good for the party itself. But it is a good omen for India’s democracy,too. After all,the stability of political institutions and consolidation of a culture of working together in spite of setbacks are the hallmark of a mature democracy.

Where Gadkari,and the BJP,will be tested in the coming days is in the practice of the ‘Nation First’ principle that he has so eloquently espoused. Will the BJP cooperate with the Congress and the UPA Government on issues where national interests are at stake? (Of course,it is equally the responsibility of the principal ruling party to seek the cooperation of the principal opposition party.) Specifically,will the two main parties put narrow politics aside in combating the two grave threats to India’s internal security—jihadi terrorism and Maoist violence—and in addressing two critical foreign policy challenges—Pakistan and China? Will the BJP,which has sought the support of Muslims on the Ayodhya issue,show reciprocal sensitivity and solidarity for the genuine problems and legitimate aspirations of Indian Muslims? Will the party rein in and isolate the Hindu extremist elements within its ‘parivar’,even as it rightly excoriates extremism among Muslims? (I am really alarmed by the growing Islam-hating and Muslim-bashing Hindu voices on the internet.) And will its advocacy of good governance and clean politics remain an empty-sounding rhetoric in the face of growing corruption among its own functionaries,as was evident when its government in Karnataka was almost gobbled up last year by greedy sharks within the BJP?

Anyway,best wishes,Nitinji.

sudheenkulkarni@gmail.com