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This is an archive article published on September 1, 2009
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Opinion Parivar takeover?

The BJP has,since its inception,been dependent on borrowed cadres of the Sangh Parivar.

The Indian Express

September 1, 2009 03:28 AM IST First published on: Sep 1, 2009 at 03:28 AM IST

• The BJP has,since its inception,been dependent on borrowed cadres of the Sangh Parivar. If the CPM politburo is apparently omnipotent,even over elected CPM chief ministers,it’s because of its exclusive grip and control over an indoctrinated cadre. It’s surprising that this simple truth seems to have eluded the BJP top brass. Now that the party has shot itself in the foot and the entire parivar is embarrassed,a politburo-style takeover of the party by Sangh cadres may be imminent despite protestations to the contrary by all.

— R. Narayanan

Ghaziabad

It’s the times

• This refers to Shekhar Gupta’s ‘The making of the Flaw Purush’,. The current crisis in the BJP is not organisational but ideological. Narrow nationalism,mingled with religious extremism,paid off electorally for a while. In government,the BJP showed a milder avatar and pushed development. But since its 2004 defeat,it’s been unable to cope with national politics changing around it. Those attacking L.K. Advani now are not really mass leaders. They have let the party down,just as his advisors have. Yet,Advani is also a victim of the BJP’s sense of the times being out of joint.

— Amaninder P. Sharma

Patiala

Return to the tribe

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• With Vajpayee ill and infirm,and Advani rendered speechless under serious attack,the BJP is without a credible leader during its worst existential crisis. No thought emerged from its Chintan Baithak,and the RSS seemed to regain firm control of the party once more. After this infighting,it will not be possible for the party to allow much inner democracy. It’s unfortunate because Advani and the newly elevated leaders were expected to begin a course correction. It now looks more like a return to the bosom of the tribe.

— Dilbag Rai

Chandigarh

Old news

• Was the US not convinced when India continuously maintained that Pakistan was using military aid in an incorrect manner? Now that the matter is out in the open,US President Obama must be pressed towards taking firmer action. After all,Pakistan,a major recipient of US aid has violated US arms export laws.

— M.C. Joshi

Lucknow

• A seasoned observer of international affairs would not be surprised over Pakistan’s misuse of weaponry. Nor is this the first instance of the US being duped by Pakistan. During the Soviet presence in Afghanistan,Pakistan hoodwinked America into believing that it was in dire need of submarine-launched missiles to fight the “imminent threat” posed by the Soviets. Did the US forget then that Afghanistan was a landlocked country?

— Arun Malankar

Mumbai

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