NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has said the crisis in the Bharatiya Janata Party and its perceived differences with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh arose from their inability to take up people's issues. The controversy over the continuation of L.K. Advani as BJP chief "masks the real crisis that has engulfed the saffron brigade. The crisis lies [in] its inability to rouse public opinion in its favour or to mobilise the people on its issues," an editorial in the latest issue of the CPI(M) mouthpiece People's Democracy said.

Apart from everything else, the last one-year of the United Progressive Alliance Government significantly contributed to changing the national discourse. People were no longer debating whether the Pakistan cricket team should be allowed to play in the country or whether M.F. Husain's paintings should be displayed. "All issues with potential to deepen the communal divide, which were brought to centre-stage by the saffron brigade, no longer engage the people's attention."

Instead, they were debating the quantum of foreign direct investment to be allowed or moving into action in the defence of the public sector. In rural India, millions were struggling to survive, braving natural calamities and man-made situations leading to suicides by farmers who were unable to cope with moneylenders.

On all such issues affecting the day-to-day existence of millions, the RSS/BJP isseen on the side of the "exploiter." These organisations remained silent on the issues of petroleum price hike, starvation deaths and distress suicides. This was eloquent of their complete lack of concern for the welfare of the people. "They have forfeited their right as the Opposition to use the parliamentary forum to champion the people. This is the real crisis for the saffron brigade today."

Despite all attempts, particularly after the recent terrorist attack at Ayodhya, these organisations failed to sharpen communal polarisation.

"Clearly, the Indian people are engaged in more serious issues that will determine the content and character of the country's future. The RSS/BJP, under the saffron brigade, focus only on the past and have a blank agenda for India's future. The RSS/BJP is today an anachronism. This cannot be cured by a change of personnel," said the editorial.

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