All ministers & no leaders spell gloom for BJP

There are of course a few exceptions. People like Sunder Singh Bhandari (who is currently one of the vice-presidents), Kushabhau Thakre, K N Govindacharya (general secretaries) and NarendraModi (secretary), who are also RSS pracharaks, have steadfastly refused to be part of the Government and declared their intention of working for the organisation. But these are only exceptions. And when Lal Krishna Advani lays down office early next month, his successor — in all likelihood, it will be Thakre — therefore would have an onerous task at hand. Not only will he have slots which will become vacant because many officebearers have become ministers in the Vajpayee Government, but he will also have to ensure that his team has leaders who have a grasp of the organisational set-up.

The new party president will, a senior BJP leader confessed, also be expected to do a tough balancing act by giving due representation to various regions, OBCs, SCs, STs, women and youth. “He is bound to face a tough time locating leaders who fulfill these criteria,” he observed.