Advani146;s musings

Some would say Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani was only stating the obvious. In Nagpur, he said that the BJP-led government could not brin...

Some would say Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani was only stating the obvious. In Nagpur, he said that the BJP-led government could not bring about a law on the construction of a temple in Ayodhya because it does not command a majority in the Rajya Sabha.

In fact, he pointed out, opposition is likely not just from the Congress but also from within the NDA: Some of the BJP8217;s allies would resist such a legislation. As if on cue, in New Delhi, the national executive of the Samata Party, a key constituent of the ruling coalition, announced its opposition to any BJP move to table a temple legislation.

Indeed, Advani was but stating the obvious. But in the context of the VHP8217;s fevered campaign on Ayodhya, and the heightened activity in its stables to mount pressure on the Vajpayee government after the failure of the Kanchi initiative, the deputy prime minister8217;s remarks sound a very welcome note. They are an admonition to VHP and Co. Their crazed passions cannot leap over hard political reality.

Advani8217;s remarks in Nagpur are a reminder of a more sane politics in a larger sense as well. He urged more understanding for the balancing act that the BJP must negotiate as the ruling party between its commitment to ideology and pragmatism.

In many ways, that comment touched upon the core of the problem that the BJP continues to face vis-a-vis its sister organisations. While the party used the temple movement to build its base by whipping up majoritarian fervour, in government it is vested with the responsibility to guard the calm. As the party in government, the BJP cannot, as Advani also pointed out in Nagpur, be circumscribed by a Hindutva of 8220;narrow appeal8221;. In government, an anti-Muslim image was 8220;hurting its ability and capability8221; to rule. Along with its commitment to ideology, the BJP-led government must also honour its commitment to provide education, economic development, infrastructure.

Unburdened by any cause larger than itself and accountable to none, the VHP may still not get the message. In all probability, it won8217;t. As elections near, here8217;s hoping nevertheless that the deputy prime minister8217;s musings will touch off a sober echo.