![]() |
Channels | ![]() |
In Focus |
Cartoons |
Education |
Environment |
Opinion |
Photo Essays |
Columns |
Business |
Random Thoughts |
Our Heritage |
Astrology |
Ayurveda |
Buddhism |
Cinema |
Culture |
Festivals |
Hinduism |
History |
People |
Places |
Sikhism |
Spirituality |
Society & Lifestyle |
Parenting |
Perspective |
Recipes |
Society |
Teens |
Women |
Creative Writings |
Computing |
Humor |
Individuality |
Literary Shelf |
Memoirs |
Quotes |
Stories |
Travelogues |
Workshop |
Analysis | Share This Page | |
Mr. Gadkari’s Dilemma! |
||
by Dr. Rajinder Puri |
![]() |
|
BJP President Mr. Nitin Gadkari has painted himself into a corner. His refusal to resign from his post provoked mounting criticism against him from interested elements within BJP. Mr. Ram Jethmalani was the most vocal and persistent. He even dared the party to act against him. At the moment of writing he is suspended from the primary membership of his party.
Under the provisions of the anti-defection law his expulsion would enable him to continue in parliament as an independent MP leaving options for future alignment with any other party open to him. His suspension would compel him to vote with the party on every issue in parliament but leave him free to continue publicly rubbishing the party at will. If Mr. Jethmalani resigns from the party he relinquishes his membership of parliament. This is of course unthinkable. Who wants to quit parliament? Either way Mr. Gadkari emerges the loser.
Eventually the revolt can assume the dimensions of a party split. The anti-defection law was amended to prevent a party split. However a party can split if the defecting section merges with another existing or even a new party. The rump that avoids merger may continue in the parent party. However such a merger might occur only if not less than two-thirds of the members of the legislative party concerned have agreed to such merger. I had earlier written in these columns that a party split presupposes a major polarizing issue. I also pointed out that such an issue did indeed exist within the BJP. The extra-constitutional authority exercised by the RSS over the BJP has seriously impaired the party’s performance. An increasing number of BJP leaders will start acknowledging this truth as long as Mr. Gadkari persists in occupying his post. Had Mr. Gadkari resigned initially he would in no way have harmed his image. His belated resignation will undoubtedly embarrass him. But Mr. Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur and Mr. Gadkari himself will have to swallow pride if they are determined to avoid a potential crisis within the BJP that could prove fatal. |
||
Share This: | ||
26-Nov-2012 | ||
More by : Dr. Rajinder Puri | ||
Views: 1148 Comments: 0 | ||
| ||
Top | Analysis |
|