Advani’s weakness in this election was that he did not display enough of a winner’s instinct. There are, of course, many factors behind the BJP’s defeat, but one of them is that he did not take the several ruthless decisions that needed to be taken at different points after the BJP’s 2004 defeat. Advani proved to be too much of a gentleman to hurt others. In running the most important marathon of his life, he no doubt grew as an even better human being but, as a leader, he ought to have asserted himself more.

At a thanks-giving function at the BJP headquarters a few days ago, Advani, while addressing all the party workers who had worked on the campaign, said, “The people have voted. We will know their verdict on May 16. The right thing for us to do is to follow the teaching of the Bhagawad Gita. We have done our karma to the best of our abilities and with utmost sincerity. As far as the outcome of our karma is concerned, let us leave it to the Almighty. Whatever be the people’s verdict, let us accept it with humility.”

Advani, the greatest long-distance runner in Indian politics, has lived the life of a karma yogi. Sad he certainly is in this hour of defeat. But on many higher criteria that determine success in life, he has risen even higher in the esteem of all those who know him.