'The Presidential Polls Led To Problems With The Allies'
The BJP chief who has had to expend far too much energy in climbing the slippery slope of the BJP's power structure on his not-so-smooth innings as party president.
Rajnath Singh has had a rough ride since he took over the presidency of the BJP less than two years ago. Brought in as the young Thakur face from the Hindi belt, Rajnath has had to expend far too much energy in climbing the slippery slope of the saffron party's power structure. Ambitious colleagues who delight in running down the party president, ageing leaders who still cling on to the frayed vestiges of power and dream of a political future, have all played their part in undermining Rajnath. The fact that the BJP fared abysmally in UP was also a personal disaster for the BJP president. In this interview to Saba Naqvi Bhaumik, Rajnath Singh talks about his not-so-smooth innings as party president. Excerpts:
Did you support the strategies of the BJP/NDA during the recent presidential polls? Hasn't it led to divisions among the allies?
But an entire new front has been created and that cannot be to your advantage...
Has the BJP gained anything from the presidential polls?
There appears to have been a difference of perception between you and L.K. Advani over the presidential polls...
The next big battle for the BJP is Gujarat. But the VHP and large sections of the RSS are unhappy. There is open rebellion in the BJP state unit. How do you react to this?
There is open rebellion and yet you say the party is intact?
When did you last meet Narendra Modi to discuss the problem of dissidence?
On January 29 this year, you had removed Modi from the BJP's highest decision-making body—the parliamentary board. At the same time Arun Jaitley was removed as chief spokesperson of the BJP. Did you act under RSS pressure or advice?
Rajnathji, you know Modi is a strongman and he would have seen this as a slight.
laughs
And what about Arun Jaitley? Why make him an enemy who would then run you down?
Laughs
After the UP debacle, you gave him charge of the state and made it clear that he would be kept out of Gujarat. Now suddenly you have also made Jaitley the election-in-charge of Gujarat. Did Modi ask for Jaitley? How do you explain this change of mind?
The old guard of Gujarat have been systematically destroyed by Modi. What will happen to them?
Modi is believed to be trying to cut down the Sangh and the VHP...
There are RSS functionaries who say Modi is too arrogant and won't share anything with even the cadre who worked for him...
Why has the BJP joined the tamasha of putting up a Muslim vice-presidential candidate, Najma Heptullah. Isn't this pseudo-secularism?
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Advani sees himself as the future prime ministerial candidate of the BJP. How do you feel about this?
But it is quite clear he does not want to retire.
RSS chief K.S. Sudershan had said it is time for the old guard to retire and make way for younger people. He said that the next leader should be young...
Laughs
buzurg
Who do you trust the most in the party? Do you believe certain individuals are running you down because they want your job?
Ek se ek log hain party mein
Your critics say that some RSS leaders have begun to have second thoughts about your leadership and that you will be nothing without the RSS...
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