BJP meet begins today

Thirty-two years later,this BJP national executive comes in the backdrop of an apparent decline in values and the unravelling tussle for leadership,with aspirants targeting the 2014 elections.

When the BJPs national executive begins deliberations at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan opposite the Mantralaya in Mumbai on Thursday,it will perhaps do well for the present leadership to reflect on the milestone announcements made in three previous conclaves in this city that went on to become turning points for the party.

It was in 2005 at a rally here after the BJP Mahaadhiveshan silver jubilee anniversary that the partys tallest leader,A B Vajpayee,announced he would not contest elections anymore,paving the way for L K Advani to be projected as the PM candidate. Displaying his leadership quality,he had asserted that Advani and Pramod Mahajan would be the next Ram-Laxman of the party.

Ten years earlier in 1995,Advani had similarly demonstrated the capacity to yield to better leadership,when he made the surprise declaration at a BJP session here that Vajpayee would be the PM if the BJP came to power in 1996. Advani had also,in the 2005 meeting,said it would be the last national executive meeting he would be presiding and named Rajnath Singh as the next party president.

In 1980,just after the BJP was formed,the leadership had drawn the likes of Nanabhoy Palkhiwala and Justice M C Chagla to the inaugural session held here where the latter declared that the BJP was the only party that could replace Indira Gandhi and asserted it to be the only viable alternative to the Congress at the Centre.

Thirty-two years later,this BJP national executive comes in the backdrop of an apparent decline in values and the unravelling tussle for leadership,with aspirants targeting the 2014 elections. The meeting now faces the threat of getting hijacked by the controversy over whether Gujarat CM Narendra Modi will attend the meet or not. Sources said Modi has accepted the invite and could make a short trip to the meeting.

Former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has said he will not be attending the meeting.

Another issue that could prove tricky is a proposal to amend the party constitution that will allow a second term for party chief Nitin Gadkari. The proposal is expected to be pushed through but could be a potential landmine given the undertones of resentment among senior leadership.

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Asked what could be the highpoint of the meeting in terms of the resolutions passed,a party leader said,Who really reads the political and economic resolutions. What will be more interesting to read is the body language of the leaders.