But Vajpayee is adamant on linking Modi's ouster to the riots—even threatening not to attend the crucial national executive if this issue was not discussed. It is an intriguing move but Vajpayee's supporters say he is sharpening the distinction between hardline Hindutva and the need for moderation—and asking equivocating elements like Advani to make a clear choice. "After the poll results, it is time to rethink and rebuild. We have to analyse each and every issue. Vajpayee has given a clear indication of which way the BJP should go. When he says the Gujarat riots were a setback, he means such incidents do not help the party to grow. He is giving us a direction. He is making a distinction between divisive Hindutva and a moderate approach. We have to heed it carefully," says a senior BJP leader close to Vajpayee.
Considering that not just the Trinamool Congress and the tdp but even—ironically—the Shiv Sena have openly blamed Gujarat for the NDA's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, Vajpayee's supporters say his focussed salvos on that front are meant to give a further thrust to this argument. Insiders say Vajpayee has had to swallow the bitter pill several times on the issue of Narendra Modi and his handling of Gujarat riots. "Before our meeting in Goa in 2002, Vajpayee had almost decided that Modi should go. But strong voices within the party forced him to withdraw. His statement in Manali is an indication that he hasn't forgotten that insult. And unlike in Goa where he relented to the majority opinion, he has stuck to his guns in Manali," say party sources.
For the dissidents in the BJP state unit in Gujarat, Vajpayee's insistence on discussing the affairs of the state in the national executive meeting are an unexpected thrust to their efforts to throw Modi out. While state unit president Rajendrasinh Rana was rather circumspect in his response—saying that whatever Vajpayee, Advani and others decide will be binding on the Gujarat unit—others have welcomed the move with more glee. "If Atalji is saying it, there would be a discussion on Gujarat at the national executive. It should be discussed," says former Union minister and senior Gujarat BJP leader Kashiram Rana.
Vajpayee's outlining of his moderate line in public has never gone down well with the Sangh parivar. Hours after he first made his now controversial statement, the VHP and then the RSS openly attacked him. The more outspoken members of the Sangh parivar—like Ashok Singhal of the VHP—launched a public assault not just on Vajpayee, but L.K. Advani as well. "Vajpayee and Advani are responsible for the defeat of the BJP. It is time they make way for the younger generation," Singhal said. He also added, "Narendra Modi is very popular in Gujarat." Pitted against this attack, Advani has maintained a stoic silence. But BJP sources say that since he has been trying to shed his "hardliner" image and emerge as an alternative to Vajpayee, Advani cannot be seen siding with the VHP hardliners on the Modi issue.
There are enough indications that Advani would tread carefully on this matter. After returning from his vacation in Nainital, the first thing Advani has done is to hold parleys with Madan Das Devi. Advani is likely to meet Vajpayee after he returns from Manali. "Even Advani does not want the Gujarat issue to come up in the meeting. But the rest of the issues, particularly that of Narendra Modi, will probably be settled on June 22 itself," says a senior party leader.
The BJP is keeping its fingers crossed about whether Venkaiah, Advani and Madan Das Devi together would be able to persuade Vajpayee against adopting a collision course. The party has already paved the ground for reconciliation by stating that it is willing to discuss the Gujarat issue, albeit not strictly as part of the discussions in the national executive meeting. For those who were hoping that the BJP's electoral debacle would mean an end to Vajpayee's political career, this week's developments show that the 'Brand Atal' and the moderates in the party will not fade so easily. So, it is not bye-bye Vajpayee for the moment.
