The BJP prides itself that, unlike most political parties, it is democratic and not controlled by a single family. But this very strength transforms into a weakness when it comes to a change of guard at the top. In political families like the Gandhis, the Abdullahs, the Badals and the Karunanidhis the succession issue in the party is smoothly sorted out with everyone speaking in one voice. The BJP, in contrast, has no structured succession plan in the post-Advani/ Vajpayee era.

Those two titans controlled the fortunes of the Jana Sangh and the BJP for half a century. And like the proverbial banyan tree, under their shadow no one else was allowed to grow too tall — and there was no grooming of a clear successor. True, there was rivalry and friction in the Ram Laxman jodi. Advani, for instance, never really reconciled himself to being the perennial number two. But, whatever their differences, they were united in ensuring that no third person questioned their supremacy. Over the years, one or the other marginalised many a BJP leader who represented a potential political threat. Kalyan Singh, as an OBC and chief minister of the country’s largest state, showed every sign of becoming a political heavyweight; his wings were neatly clipped, and he finally left the party. Regional satraps like Shanta Kumar and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat were not allowed to make the switch from state to Central politics. Murli Manohar Joshi, Sunder Singh Bhandari and Khushabhau Thakre may have been very senior in the Sangh hierarchy, but they were not entrusted with much responsibility.

... contd.