In his opening address to the BJP national executive, party president Rajnath Singh had planned to make only two references on the Vande Mataram issue: of the UPA’s “lack of courage” and “vote-bank politics’’. But as soon as TV channels flashed the news that Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were not present for the Vande Mataram programme at the AICC headquarters, smiles spread across Pacific Hotel, the venue of the BJP meeting.

Two senior functionaries quickly called New Delhi to cross-check.

With senior leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Venkaiah Naidu present, BJP office-bearers decided to shelve the day’s agenda and go all out on Vande Mataram. Since the highlight of today’s session was the presidential address, the party promptly planned additions to the prepared text of Rajnath’s speech. They also named a five-member committee under Venkaiah Naidu to plan the future course of action.

The party resolve behind him, Rajnath Singh went hammer and tongs on Vande Mataram. He demanded that Vande Mataram be placed under Article 51-A of the Constitution so that it is “accorded respect”. He then said different explanations were being given for Sonia’s absence from the AICC function. “She was unwell, they said. She was busy, they said. But her absence was a deliberate and conscious decision due to vote-bank compulsions. It shows how seriously the Congress takes the most vibrant symbol of our freedom struggle. It has been proved that today’s Sonia Congress does not represent the legacy of the original Congress,” he said.

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