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HVK Archives: BJP is not cadre-based party : Advani

BJP is not cadre-based party : Advani - The Observer

Posted By Ashok V Chowgule (ashokvc@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in)
October 30, 1996

The BJP is facing a good deal of dissidence in Gujarat,
earlier in Madhya Pradesh and now in Delhi. Why is this
happening in the party?

A I feel since the inception of the Jan Sangh, we were
having the problems within the organisation in the early
phase, even at the level of all India President. But
they never made news, because the Jan Sangh, and in the
beginning, the BJP were on the marginal side. When we
came to centre stage, any deviation from the image which
we had created -- more of a image of a disciplined party,
a party where there are no factions -- is highlighted.

Unlike the Communist parties. we are not a cadre based
party. We are essentially a mass party. Anyone can
become a member, and tomorrow or day after he can become
an MLA or MP. There is no such bar that unless you are a
member for so many years then only you will get the card.

Those at the top echelons of the party and its various
important positions, almost all had a RSS background.
Therefore we function or perform as a cadre based party.
But the fact is anyone can become an MLA, MP and a Min-
ister.

Q It is felt that after the hawala charges your politics
does not seem as aggressive as It was?

A I don't think so. Even before hawala I announced at
the preliminary session in Mumbai that in the 1996 elec-
tions, the BJP aspires to form a Government, not merely
to become the principal Opposition party and if we
succeed, our leader in Parliament and Prime Minister of
the country will be Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Then natural-
ly, the focus shifted to Vajpaiji. It is not that I
toned down the campaign or attack on corruption. Hawala
came later. I believe that the hawala assault on the BJP
boomeranged badly on the Congress, because they did not
anticipate that I will react in a manner which I did. I
think it helped the party in its election campaign and
also to continue focusing on the Narasimha Rao Gover-
nment's corruption, otherwise we would have been handi-
capped severely.

Q Inspite of being the principal Opposition party, the
BJP is not able to launch any nationwide movement after
the Ayodhya?

A Even before that, apart from Ayodhya, we have had some
programmes periodically. Even the Jan Sangh, right from
the beginning, was not a party of continuous unending
agitation. We have all along stressed that the party
believes in Sangathak, Sangharsh and Sanrachna. One of
which is Sangharsh, agitation. But the organisational
activity and the constructive activity, including the
training of the cadre, all three must go on alongside.

Q What do you feel about Uttar Pradesh (UP) situation?

A All I feel that the United Front (UF) Government would
be reluctant to have the President's proclamation put to

vote in the Parliament. They would like the Government
to be installed before Parliament meets on November 18.
Therefore their first choice will be naturally, to in-
stall a non BJP Government. If they did not succeed in
getting the BSP and Samajwadi Party arrive at some under-
standing, then I do not rule out the possibility of the
largest single party, the BJP being invited to form the
Government and asked to prove it's majority.

Q There is much talk about BJP-BSP alliance.

A There have been no formal talks between the two parties
as far an alliance is concerned. Though there has been
some informal talks. If a person like Suraj Bhan meets
Kanshi Ram, naturally some discussions are there. I did
tell my colleagues in UP that the desirable thing is that
the Governor should invite the largest party to form a
Government. But if it doesn't happened, it appears that
we would have to go for another election. You should be
ready for the election. But it is desirable to have some
kind of arrangements with a party, other then the Con-
gress and the UF, which means only the BSP. But as I
told you there have been no formal negotiations, informal
sounding has been there. But I do not see this material-
ising.

Q In case President proclamation is put to vote and
Congress does support it, what do you think will happen?

A It will be for the first time in 50 years that the
President's proclamation is defeated in the House. The
Government should have to resign, if it happens.

Q It is said that MLAs from the Congress and other
parties are ready to support a BJP Government.

A Yes, there have been soundings. I have no doubt that
if BJP forms the government, it will be able establish
it's majority.

Q But why not they are supporting the claim of the BJP?

A Because they knew that the BJP will not be invited.

Q On the other hand, it is being claimed that BJP leader
Satyadeo Singh is likely to be another Vaghela in UP?

A It is absurd and preposterous. The day before, I and
Satyadeo Singh heartily laughed over it.

Q BJP was expecting to cross the 200 mark in the UP.
What went wrong with the party?

A In a huge State like UP, going wrong by 2025 seats is
no major blunder. I did expect 200 plus. In some areas,
it may be to wrong choice of the candidates. In some
other areas caste feelings had been strong. In Ut-
tranchal area we got unprecedented victory. So it can't
be a single reason.

Q Is the assault on scribes by Kanshi Ram going to affect
the BJP's approach towards the BSP?

A BJP will never approve any kind of intolerance towards
the media. This incident is unfortunate, though I do
recall that the Samajwadi Party leader did something far

worse as Chief Minister. He declared 'halla bol' on two
leading newspapers of UP. But I do not remember any such
a demonstration taking place. That is also a pointer.

Q What do you read in between?

A Even in the matter of reaction, there is selectivity.

Q Don't you see that the utterances of Shiv Sena chief
Bal Thackeray might he affecting the image of the BJP?

A I don't think so. Inspite of all things appearing in
the Press, the alliance is functioning reasonably well.

Q What is your opinion on the UF Government at the Cen-
tre?

A There is no Government. And whatever exists, lacks
direction. Even the constituents of the Government are
not very much sure if it is going to last.

Q How does it affect the nation?

A The economy is pretty bad. The state of industry is
very bad. So far as the opening of the economy and
liberalisation is concerned, there has been no forward
movement in the last six months. Even in international
affairs, the kind of rebuff we suffered in United Nation
is unprecedented. I see turbulence, anxiety in the
defence forces.

Q When you are expecting Lok Sabha elections?

A Not beyond 1997.

Q Early '97 or late?

A That I can't say. Much depends upon the Congress-UF
relationship, in which the Congress continue to blow hot
and cold. Principally because the Congress has lost its
mass base. Therefore, the Congress is not at all willing
to risk another election. The Congress is keen to some-
how avoid elections. If possible, to dislodge this
Government and occupy its place.

Q Do you see any change in the Congress after the change
of leadership?

A Not yet.


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