Rift in BJP out in public, Yashwant Sinha quits party posts

New Delhi, June 13 (PTI) Deep divisions in India's
main opposition party BJP burst out in the open Saturday with
veteran leader Yashwant Sinha quitting as Vice President and
other posts and attacking the leadership for not taking
responsibility for electoral debacle in what was seen as
carping criticism of L K Advani and Rajnath Singh.

In a four-page letter of resignation, which was
promptly accepted by Singh, the former External Affairs
Minister and Finance Minister has raised questions over the
leadership's "reluctance to introspect comprehensively and
openly" the electoral defeat that has shaken the party.

Sinha, who had raised the banner of revolt against
Advani in 2005 too during the Jinnah controversy, said "I am
getting a sinking feeling that once again there is a
conspiracy of silence. We are shying away from pin-pointing
our weaknesses and fixing responsibility."

Significantly, Sinha's four-page 'letter bomb'
exploded in the face of the party President Rajnath Singh, who
addressed a press conference to impose a "gag" order on party
leaders and functionaries asking them to "refrain" from airing
their views in public and in the media that will negatively
impact the party's image.

Violation of this, would invite disciplinary action,
the BJP chief said but ruled out any action against Arun
Jaitley, the new Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha
(Upper House of Parliament) and Sudheendra Kulkarni, a close
aide of Advani, who have opened the can of worms by airing
their views in the media analysing the defeat.

Sinha, who was apparently upset over the party's chief
elections strategist Jaitley being made the Leader of
Opposition in Rajya Sabha, said "It is difficult to avoid the
impression that in the BJP we put a premium on failure."

He said while on the one hand, the party is avoiding a
systematic appraisal of its performance, on the other, those
who were responsible for the management of campaign have
already made their views public through articles and
interviews in the media.

"They have drawn their conclusions, apportioned blame
and given themselves a clean chit. Those of us who actually
toiled in the field and took all the risk have not even been
heard," Sinha said.

The letter, addressed to Singh and circulated among
other core group members, said, "It appears as if some people
in the party are determined to ensure that the principle of
accountability does not prevail so that their own little perch
is not disturbed."

Talking about a "rat race for posts" in the party,
Sinha said "If we are a party with a difference, let us set an
example in abnegation. If the responsibility is collective, as
I have often heard you say, then all of us should jointly
share the responsibility for our defeat."

Sinha praised Advani for declining to take up the
position of Leader of Opposition of Lok Sabha, which he
relented after persuasion, but in the same breath, he was
critical of the complete disregard of the Parliamentary Party
constitution in the election of office bearers of
Parliamentary Party on May 31.

Significantly, Sinha's letter of resignation became
public minutes before Rajnath Singh told a press conference
that BJP was "united" and dismissed as "far from truth" media
reports that the party was in "disarray".

"The leadership stands united and the party is united
in analysing the outcome of the elections that have not come
up to its expectations," the BJP chief insisted.

"This obviously has to be an exhaustive and collective
exercise which has begun at various levels. This will
culminate in a 'Chintan Baithak' (brainstorming session) in
the month of August after the Budget session," Singh said.

Rajnath Singh said "As President of the party, I have
to say that it has been decided that henceforth all party
leaders and functionaries should refrain from formally or
informally sharing their views and inputs outside the party
forums such as the media or any other platform about the
internal deliberations within the party or share any
information that might negatively impact the image of the
party, failing which they will invite disciplinary proceedings
against themselves.

"We will not compromise on indiscipline."

When persistently asked whether any action will be
taken against Jaitley, Jaswant Singh and Sudheendra Kulkarni,
who have gone public with their views, Rajnath Singh said "I
said henceforth ... you can draw your own conclusions."

When pointed out that BJP's earlier efforts to enforce
discipline like expulsion of Uma Bharti had come a cropper,
the party chief said: "wait and watch." PTI RC
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