All too quiet

being shredded by the allegations. He is besieged on every front,after the RSS openly announced their headhunting mission for a younger successor,and the Congress demands he apologise for misleading the nation. While much of the party still rests its faith in Advani

he cannot emerge unhurt from

this sniper fire. And it is indeed puzzling for observers that at this tense,delicate point,he should maintain such a stoic silence. And it is no doubt damaging for the partys cohesiveness.

This election exacted a phenomenal toll on party morale,and possibly the most on Advani,whose prime ministerial ambitions were destroyed for good. But then again,the BJPs trajectory is too tightly bound up with Advani for him to now maintain sage-like detachment he nurtured the party through

the days of aggressive Hindutva

mobilisation,and grew it up,as it transitioned to being the pivot of a centre-right coalition. Today,its once-formidable solidarity has been shattered. The BJP,the party with a difference,is now the party composed entirely of bitter differences. In the interests of the party he has dedicated his life to,Advani needs to find the right words,now.