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Journalism of Courage
If politics is the art of the possible, Pramod Mahajan is a powerful exemplifier of that definition. Few politicians can run election campaigns, be handy at organisational work in all its ramifications and be at home with policy and deal making that comes with ministerial responsibilities. Which is probably why, as our today8217;s columnist mentions, Mahajan has a large number of colleagues in the BJP who are not overly fond of him and a fair number of admirers in the Congress. His admiring political rivals will be the first to say perhaps that as the BJP rose from obscurity to become the Congress8217;s natural challenger, it arguably could not have done without politicians like Mahajan. And the party needs him as much now 8211; the first faint drumbeats of the next general elections have started becoming audible.
The next round of political battles is crucial for Mahajan personally, too. One among the 8220;second generation8221; BJP leaders, his hat will be in the ring for party and/or government leadership. His recent political calculations have been based on clearly siding with the Sangh Parivar in the absurd RSS-fomented 8220;ideological8221; battle over LK Advani8217;s remarks on Jinnah. His intra-party loyalties are with the current president, Rajnath Singh. But Singh is surely seen by Mahajan, as by other aspirants to the BJP8217;s big prize, as a stopgap, an arrangement born out of desperate expediency and liable to be broken the very moment a 8220;real8221; winner comes through. Those who know Mahajan will never bet against him, although Mahajan himself must know that the impression that has gathered over the years 8211; that he8217;s perhaps vulnerable to certain kind of questions 8211; will be something he has to factor in before he makes his next big move in politics.
