‘It’s settled, no post for Rahul’

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s sympathy for Rahul Mahajan notwithstanding, the BJP leadership has made up its mind not to give him any post.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s sympathy for Rahul Mahajan notwithstanding, the BJP leadership has made up its mind not to give him any post. Sources in the party told The Indian Express: ‘‘The issue is settled, no post for Rahul, not after the recent developments.’’

‘‘Who can even dare think of a party position for him after the drug stigma?’’ a senior leader responded with a counter-question when asked if a rethink was possible. He said the issue had far-reaching implications and a national political party could not afford being guided by just emotions.

The sources said Vajpayee’s remarks — ‘‘such mistakes happen in young age’’ and ‘‘chances of such mistakes are possible when you fall in bad company’’ — reflected the magnanimity of an elder for a young member of the family who had gone astray. ‘‘That is how elders are, humane, magnanimous and understanding; and that is how any elder in a family would react when faced with such a situation,’’ the sources added. ‘‘But,’’ the sources said, ‘‘we have taken a well thought-out decision not to get Rahul into the party. There is no going back on it.’’

Even before the drug scandal surfaced, several Maharahstra BJP leaders, including state president Nitin Gadkari, had advised the high command not to promote Rahul after Pramod Mahajan’s murder. However, Rahul was still able to push his case with senior leaders here due to help from his late father’s aides and media attention.

But after the happenings late last week, a political career now seems far beyond Rahul’s grasp.

Mistakes happen in youth: Atal

MANALI: “Such mistakes happen in young age.” This was the comment of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the Rahul Mahajan drugs abuse case. “Chances of such mistakes are possible when you fall in bad company and that is what happened to Rahul,” Vajpayee told reporters after a party meeting here. Asked whether the episode had tarnished the image of BJP which was planning to give some responsibility to Rahul, Vajpayee replied in the negative. “We will try to find the truth first,” he said.