Time for Advani to Retire Gracefully

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 21, 2006 -- Mr. L. K. Advani must be desperate to claim that the Leader of Opposition is generally perceived to be the Prime Minister in waiting and he should be considered a candidate for the same in the next elections. This kind of claim by a leader at best is a desperate attempt to project himself when he is not sure of his standing in his own party as well his ability to lead BJP to victory in the elections.

Mr. Advani who in his hey days had marginalized or forced many leaders to quit the party as he was a unchallenged leader could not be projected as a candidate for the top post because he enjoyed little following outside the ranks and file of BJP and was also not acceptable to other partners of BJP who came together to form National Democratic Alliance. During the period when Mr. Advani was trying to project himself as a strong man of India cut in the same style as legendry first Home Ministry of independent India he had to occupy number two slot only as he did not enjoy the support of all factions and neither had the image to lead the party during the election time.

The BJP strongman today is only a shadow of his former self as he has never recovered from the beating he received for his remarks praising founder of Pakistan Mohamad Ali Jinnah during his visit to Pakistan. His remarks created a big controversy and all elements close to RSS distanced themselves from him. Many others who had been never very fond of him also lost no time in joining the growing numbers of Advani baiters. The compromise reached by removing him from party presidentship but allowing him to stay on as a leader of opposition was only a concession to avert open split and not any acknowledgement of his ability or stature.

Under the circumstances BJP has tried to ignore the remarks made by Mr. Advani by suggesting that the choice of leadership was a open question and hardly anyone has bothered to come out in support of him as they are aware of the fact that choice of leader will depend on his ability to win elections and win allies after the poll and Mr. Advani is not expected to fill any of these roles. In the forthcoming U. P. elections, the president Mr. Rajnath Singh will be taking all crucial decisions. He is not only the favourite of the Sangh Parivar, but also has been able to do a decent job of leading the party during local elections in which BJP performed much better contrary to expectations.



There are many in the BJP who would like to project Mr. Vajpayee as leader even though his age is against him and his health also can cause some anxiety. But as far as Mr. Advani is concerned he should be preparing for an honourable exit as there are no prospects of his ever emerging from the shadows and controversies with which he has surrounded himself. Along with him the fate of other leaders of Vajpayee era is also becoming uncertain. Mr. Jaswant Singh, former Foreign Minister has become a recluse and most of the leaders in BJP will be l