“Mr. Shah pretty much chose who he felt comfortable with as his office-bearers, disregarding the opinion of seniors”, said a senior leader.
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Acknowledging that there have been “some mistakes” in devising political strategy for Bihar assembly polls resulting in stunning defeat for the BJP, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that lessons should be learnt from the outcome. “It shows those who would have appropriated credit are bent on shrugging off responsibility for the disastrous showing in Bihar”, the statement says.
Then came the sting. A thorough review must be done of the reasons for the defeat as well as the way the party is being forced to kowtow to a handful and how its consensual character has been destroyed, the statement added. “It is rightly pointed out by these four senior BJP leaders that their failure in the Bihar elections must be probed by those leaders who had not participated in the campaign”, NCP leader Majeed Memon told ANI. It is in that court, it seems, that his continuation as party chief now rests.
There are reports that Mr Gadkari’s rallies in Bihar were cancelled by the Shah team without even informing the minister. Mr Shourie had held Mr Modi, Mr Shah and Mr Jaitley responsible for the debacle. It’s not a party of any leader.
Meanwhile, Naidu’s Cabinet colleague and former BJP president Nitin Gadkari said that Advani and others were respected leaders and party would discuss the issues raised by the veterans.
“The results of Delhi and Bihar have been adverse against us”.
Mr Modi’s right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party lost the election in eastern Bihar state last Sunday to a coalition of socialist groups, led by Nitish Kumar, in a major blow seen as a sign that many in India are alarmed by a rising tide of religious intolerance and violence.
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“Advani and Joshi formed the triumvirate of BJP along with A B Vajpayee and if they are saying something about the party, it is a serious matter”, he said. “The party would certainly welcome any guidance and suggestion of our seniors in this regard”, the joint statement read.
