Opinion Swamy’s Message

The Janata Party chief appears to have decided to use the Sangh Parivar’s journals to send his message to the BJP. In an article in Organiser,the Janata Party chief first pays his respects to the Sangh Parivar and quotes Jayaprakash Narayan to describe “the organisational network of the RSS” as a “bulwark” against the Congress.

He suggests that the BJP discard the notion of playing down Hindutva to gain wider acceptability. “The BJP is regularly advised by its enemies to purge out Hindutva from its poll plank to become more ‘acceptable’. This fatuous advice from enemies,however,deserves to be thrown into the dustbin where it belongs,” Swamy argues.

The article recommends that the BJP remain steadfast on its position regarding Article 370 and a common civil code,both of which were sidelined to make way for an NDA regime,and indirectly cautions NDA partner JD(U) against its demands regarding them. Given Nitish Kumar’s reservations about the NDA’s approach to these issues,the article wants the BJP to only have “seat adjustments” with the JD(U) during the elections,without compromising its positions. At best,it suggests,the likes of Nitish Kumar should be roped in through a common governance programme.

“I would suggest in my individual capacity,that the next election be fought by the NDA by seat adjustments and not by ideological compromise,” Swamy says.

Credible alternative?

The latest issue of Organiser is an Independence Day special,with the cover page message,“Throw Out UPA for Nation’s Sake”. Rumblings over the BJP’s capacity to stake a claim to being a national party has been voiced in many articles.

The editorial expressed apprehensions over the BJP’s ability to take on the Congress-led UPA. Referring to the BJP’s position on the Anna Hazare-led agitation,the editorial chastised the saffron party as “full of apologists for the system” who appear to be “on the same page as the ruling clique”. It alleges that the ruling establishment is trying to tarnish the image of the leaders of the anti-corruption agitations,as it will “help [the UPA get away”.

“People are sick and tired of the UPA. But the opposition is full of apologists for the system. A Lokpal is a no-no. Anna Hazare is above board,so he is unwelcome. Jayaprakash Narayan,even V.P. Singh,did not face this isolation,because the opposition was vibrant,not on the same page as the ruling clique,” it says.

Similarly,another article raises doubts over the BJP’s claims to be an alternative to the ruling establishment in its headline itself — “UPA is in doldrums,are the others ready” — to voice apprehensions over the BJP’s commitment to its core issues. The article contends that “the main opposition party has convinced itself,perhaps rightly so,that Hindu consolidation is a theoretical impossibility and is therefore not even in a mood to try it out”. Likewise,another article reflects the lack of preparedness in the BJP in its headline: “Let the opposition do its homework,UPA is out on its own misdeeds”. Another article highlights the BJP’s need to gather strength ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections: “Tainted UPA rapidly going downhill,NDA needs to arouse public opinion,gather allies.”

Compiled by Ravish Tiwari