New Delhi: LK Advani is unhappy with his key aide Sudheendra Kulkarni's post mortem of the BJP's defeat that too in a magazine article. Kulkarmi had blamed the BJP and RSS for not putting all their weight behind Advani during the elections.
Sudheendra Kulkarni, Advani's spin doctor, blamed factions in the BJP and RSS for the election defeat. The BJP's reaction -- careful to shield Advani for comments made by his close aide.
"The BJP completely disassociates itself from Sudheendra Kulkarni's article. It is an opinion of an independent journalist. I have spoken to Advaniji and he too has expressed his disapproval of Kulkarni's opinion," said Sushma Swaraj, BJP leader.
"My views have been expressed by Sushma," said L K Advani, Leader of the Opposition.
Advani had to distance himself as it was being inferred that Kulkarni wrote the article but was voicing views of Advani and a section in the BJP that still doesn't disagree with Kulkarni.
"He should not have discussed it on this platform. But Kulkarni has said something which a lot of us are talking about," said Chandan Mitra, leader, BJP.
Kulkarni in an article in the Tehelka magazine has blamed the BJP and the Sangh Parivar for making a strong leader like Advani look weak and helpless.
He writes, "The RSS must introspect why it has limited acceptability within the Hindu society."
Kulkarni's article has created a tehelka or storm in the Sangh Parivar but the article is not at all post-loss angst. But sign that some BJP top leaders are resisting the Sangh's attempt to gain control.
That's why the RSS has reacted strongly.
"Unfortunate that after each loss RSS-BJP relations are discussed publically," said Ram Madhav, Spokesperson, RSS.
The article refreshes memories of Jinnah episode when the RSS was seeking change in the BJP leadership and a section tried to resist.
Once again the RSS is asking Advani to go. The disarray will increase as the war of words has just begun.