Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Clash of Titans

The tussle in the BJP between L.K. Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee over the expulsion of Madan Lal Khurana is most unfortunate. The latest addition to the woes of the party that is already a divided house was avoidable. Mr. Khurana's 40-year service should have been taken into consideration before making what now seems a hasty move.

Nagesh Belapure,
Secunderabad

The BJP's claim of being a party with a difference has fallen flat. While the latest crisis in the form of Mr. Vajpayee's statement might have provided the spark, the BJP's woes started ever since it lost the elections to the Lok Sabha in 2004.

Had the BJP taken a decision to let Narendra Modi go after the Gujarat riots of 2002, things would not have come to such a pass. The simmering dissent seems to have exploded at last. Mr. Advani should step down as party president.

K. Ramachandran,
Madurai, T.N.

With each passing day, the differences in the BJP appear to be becoming sharper. One wonders whether the people have placed greater confidence than warranted in the BJP by voting it in as the largest Opposition party. If the present trend continues, a split will become inevitable.

N.S. Venkataraman,
Chennai

Mr. Vajpayee's open expression of displeasure at Mr. Khurana's ouster is unhealthy and will affect the party's unity. Mr. Khurana's virtual rebellion and outbursts against the party leadership transgressed all limits of discipline. Any hesitation in dealing with him firmly would have caused incalculable harm to the BJP's image. The cracks developing in the party with the Big Two washing dirty linen in public will lead to its disintegration. It is time they buried the hatchet.

K.V. Seetharamaiah,
Hassan, Karnataka

Mr. Khurana was indulging in acts of indiscipline ever since Mr. Advani made his Jinnah speech. Seniority alone is no criterion for determining the loyalty of a party member.

C. Lakshmi Narain,
Chennai

The conflict between Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Advani does not augur well for the party. The lack of a credible Opposition will hinder the progress of the nation. In the interest of democracy and the country, the BJP should find a way of resolving its internal disputes amicably. Maybe Mr. Advani should consider stepping down.

M.D. Kartik,
Hyderabad

The BJP seems to be disintegrating due to infighting. Prominent leaders such as Uma Bharti, Yashwant Sinha, and Murli Manohar Joshi have had differences with Mr. Advani in the recent past, which they have aired openly. The RSS too does not approve of him. As if all this was not enough, just ahead of the national executive, the BJP is witnessing another round of squabbling, this time over Mr. Khurana's expulsion. With none of the leaders, Mr. Advani included, thinking twice before voicing his or her opinions before the media, it seems no one is serious about keeping the house in order.

N. Sivaraman,
Kancheepuram, T.N.

It is evident that even Mr. Vajpayee was not taken into confidence before Mr. Khurana was expelled. The former Prime Minister cannot be faulted for expressing his views because many BJP leaders seem to be in agreement with him.

K.D. Viswanaathan,
Coimbatore

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