BJP now smells fresh hope in Gujarat

It is not for nothing that the BJP, which rules both the Centre and Gujarat, has insisted on mounting a distinct and high-voltage relief effort, not for nothing that despite a decision today to create an all-party relief committee, the BJP said its own Gujarat salvage cell, being coordinated from the party headquarters in Delhi, would continue to function independently, albeit with ready assistance from the huge resources of the central and Gujarat governments.

‘‘Just for fear of attracting allegations of politicking, we cannot demoralise our workers who have jumped headlong into the relief effort,’’ a senior BJP leader said.With expert marshalling of the RSS’ widespread network, cheeky utilisation of a home government’s resources and dextrous media management, the Sangh Parivar has handed the BJP a runaway lead over its political rivals, essentially the Congress, in the relief run. The Congress here may have set up a dedicated quake-relief cell, the lawns of 24 Akbar Road may be overflowing with relief material , senior party leaders may have established camp offices in Ahmedabad and Bhuj,but what has counted is that if there is one group doing the hardest work in Gujarat, it is the Sangh Parivar.

With governments both at the Centre and in Gujarat, the BJP does have natural advantages on the grandstand. But they have hogged the limelight even where the competition had a chance. Government, party and Parivar combined efforts to hand the saffron front a position of undue advantage in the relief efforts. For television, it was as if BJP and its Sangh affiliates were the only political force bothering with quake-relief.

Jammed out of the studios by ever-willing, ever-available Sangh spokespersons, Congress leaders were left outside, yelping in protest and getting para-mentions in the inside pages: the BJP government is promoting the RSS’ relief efforts, they are being favoured with material and speedy access to affected areas, independent NGOs are being given a raw deal.