Retributions  

A requiem for BJP

The most hopeful take on the sordid Jaswant Singh affair is that he was really expelled due to internal politics of the BJP: The Advani clique is simply unprepared to accept accountability for the party’s stunning electoral defeat and BJP will act against anyone who demands even a degree of accountability. By expelling Jaswant Singh in this manner—the party president informed him on the phone—the party’s ruling clique is sending out a clear message that anyone challenging its authority would no longer find any place in the party. In short, forget 2009, Advani is preparing to battle for the position of leader of opposition after the 2014 elections.

Because if he was really expelled for writing a book—a book!—then this Talibani party should really self-destruct. A party led by an intellectual pygmy who probably has never read a book after primary school; shepherded by apparatchiks in RSS who have made not one—not one!—contribution to understanding of Indian history and culture; and commanded by a hypocrite who explained in multiple media interviews how his comments were misunderstood on Jinnah should really dissolve it self. And spare India the spectacle of its principal opposition party go bust.

Because if he was really expelled for writing a book—a book!—then clearly this party has no use for intellectual discussion; for thought; and for openness. Much like the Congress party whose principal purpose now is advancement of the dynasty, BJP has its own set of holy cows, who can never be questioned—not even in the slightest—because it will go against the party’s core ideology. What sort of ideology is defined by individuals?

With its current leadership, there is no hope for BJP—none whatsoever! Unfortunately, BJP will not disappear. It will stick around as a skeleton of its glory days, confined to 50-60 seats in the Lok Sabha, left with  a core loony fringe and Internet warriors, and its leaders will continue to provide entertainment for the nation.

All we can do is wait for the next episode of this never-ending saga.