The year was 1996. The BJP had emerged as the biggest party after a heated general election. Cause for celebration, although its government lasted just 13 days. But, at a function in Gujarat to felicitate Atal Behari Vajpayee and L.K Advani, microphones, chairs, other objects flew as leaders and workers of the party’s fractious Gujarat unit came to blows. The venerable state minister Atmaram Patel was beaten, his dhoti was stripped and shredded, and pieces were carried away by party workers as trophies. A cowering Patel covered his modesty with a party banner.