The Hindu : Vajpayee is our leader, reiterates BJP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 25, 2003

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National

Vajpayee is our leader, reiterates BJP

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI SEPT. 24. The shadow of the `Loh Purush-Vikas Purush' controversy hovered once again over the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters here today after the remarks of the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in New York, that he could soon join the long list of former Prime Ministers in India, were telecast here prominently by television channels.

"There are several former Prime Ministers in our country and soon another one will be added to the list. But whatever I do, I will do it with dignity, Mr. Vajpayee reportedly said.

This time the BJP has not waited for the Prime Minister's return. The party spokesperson, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, said the party would certainly contest the next Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of Mr. Vajpayee and that he would be the next Prime Minister.

A few months ago, when Mr. Vajpayee was abroad, a major controversy arose here after the BJP president, Venkaiah Naidu, said that in the next elections the party would project the twin leadership of Mr. Vajpayee as `Vikas Purush' (Development Man) and the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani as `Loh Purush' (Iron Man).

In a subtle way, the party had hinted that the two leaders were on a par in their stature.

On his return, Mr. Vajpayee's remarks that Mr. Advani would lead the party left everyone in the party in a confused state and Mr. Naidu himself rushed to clarify that Mr. Vajpayee alone would lead the party. Mr. Vajpayee's response to the controversy and Mr. Naidu's later clarification emphasised that there was indeed some kind of a tussle at the very top in the BJP.

His innocuous remark today in New York, reportedly made at a reception hosted for him by the Indian Ambassador, Lalit Mansingh, could once again reopen that controversy.

Recently, those in the party considered close to the Prime Minister said that Mr. Vajpayee may not have liked the idea of Mr. Naidu calling a meeting of all Ministers at his residence, as he did on September 15, to discuss party issues and direct them to participate in the party programme — "gaon gaon chalo, ghar ghar chalo abhiyan".

It was pointed out that since Mr. Vajpayee was the leader of the parliamentary wing it was unusual for Mr. Naidu to have chaired a meeting of Ministers. Mr. Advani attended the meeting, but Mr. Vajpayee did not.

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