The latest WikiLeaks cache of secret US cables contains a labyrinth of information on a leadership tussle in the BJP and the RSS’s stifling control over the party.
From L. K. Advani’s controversial comments on Pakistan founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah’s “ secular” credentials that cost him his job to successor Rajnath Singh, to dropping PM- contender Narendra Modi from the party’s crucial parliamentary board, the US charge d’ affairs and other officials cited several instances of intraparty feuds from 2005 to 2007.
The US cables use the hounding of Advani after his Pakistan sojourn as an instance of the RSS’s ideological control over the BJP. Advani announced his resignation as BJP president in the party’s national executive in Chennai in September 2005, and Rajnath took over the party’s reigns on January 1, 2006, with the RSS’s blessings.
The episode is well- documented along with several instances of how Advani’s own protégés in the BJP’s GenNext deserted him in the aftermath of his comments on Jinnah.
“ There are several key events that will in the coming months provide indicators as to where the BJP is headed. One is the BJP leadership conference now scheduled for September 16- 18 in Chennai. Media and political observers are predicting that swords could be drawn at the meeting.
The Sangh Parivar could use this venue to make its move to unseat Advani,” a cable said.
The cables suggested that while the BJP infighting was ideological, it was also a succession struggle between personalities.
“ The RSS and VHP have clear preferences regarding who should replace A. B. Vajpayee and Advani. Modi is the favourite of both groups to replace Vajpayee and become the party’s candidate for PM, while the VHP supports former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti, or Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia to replace Advani. The RSS purportedly favours BJP national executive member Sushma Swaraj for party president, but the VHP is not enthusiastic,” another cable added.
Despite or perhaps because of his reputation as an international pariah, Modi has emerged for now as the figurehead for the Sangh Parivar. The cables list the pros and cons of Modi’s takeover of the BJP. “ The Sangh seems determined to make Modi the BJP leader and candidate for PM. While increasingly popular within segments of the party, he remains unpopular in India and divisive in his home state. His selection would unite India’s ‘ secular’ opposition against the BJP, leading to increasing isolation, electoral defeat and marginalisation.
A party with Modi in charge would also be more anti- American and less cooperative with the US. BJP leaders tell us that Modi ‘ will never forgive the US’ for his treatment,” a cable sent by then US charge Robert Blake said.
Another cable said the “ Hindu nationalist RSS” and its Sangh Parivar allies had scored a major political victory by intimidating Advani and the second- tier BJP leadership.
“ The right- wing RSS asserted its political dominance of the BJP on July 8, calling for the removal of Advani from his party leadership positions, including the presidency and head of the parliamentary delegation.
Pundits expect the move to succeed, resulting in greater RSS control of the BJP and a shift towards an even more radical Hindutva agenda,” the cable added.
Modi is eyeing bigger role on national stage
Gujarat CM Narendra Modi is positioning himself for a bigger role on the national stage after making a solid base in the state, according to WikiLeaks.
US embassy cables, many of them uploaded earlier this week, talk about Modi and his rise in stature in the BJP. The US embassy in New Delhi makes a detailed analysis of the CM in several cables that were sent back home.
“ Modi is using his strong base in Gujarat to position himself for the BJP power struggle and to crow about Gujarat’s investment- friendly ( but certainly not minorityfriendly) record,” one of the cables says.
Another assessment was that Modi could be the most popular BJP leader and a PM candidate.
“ Anecdotal evidence suggests… Modi could be the most popular leader in the BJP and there is increasing momentum to make him the party figurehead and next choice of PM,” a cable sent after Modi was denied a US visa ( 2005) says.
The CM was one of BJP’s star campaigners during the 2009 elections, which the party lost.
The cable further claims that BJP’s move to make Modi the PM candidate would unite the secular parties.
Talking about the cancellation of the visa application, the cables say the Gujarat CM bears permanent resentment against the US for the “ humiliation”. The cables claim “ Modi has his eyes on bigger things” and his governing style has a nationwide appeal among conservative Hindus that could help the BJP. “ In a BJP beset by internal struggle, Modi’s revival sets him up nicely to influence the kingmaking when the time comes. Having recovered from the crisis invoked by our visa revocation and his tyrannical management style, Modi is positioning himself as a national leader by reminding people that Gujarat has done a fine job of economic governance, notwithstanding the black stain the ( 2002) riots left,” a cable says.
The assessment was made at a time when Modi had consolidated his position as a formidable leader in 2005. “ At present, Modi appears stronger than at any time,” a cable says.