New Delhi:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is back to controversy after Lal Krishna Advani admitted that he had opposed Jaswant Singh's expulsion. By dumping the blame on others, Advani has caused another flutter in the party and has managed to isolate himself.
If it was to soften Jaswant Singh's public tirade against him, it has failed. Jaswant was bitter. And not ready to accept Advani's belated truce offer.
"Why is he saying this after one month?" said Jaswant.
But it seems Advani has shot himself in the foot. His remarks have confused the second rung leaders close to him. Leaders like Arun Jaitley, Narendra Modi and Sushma Swaraj had led the chorus for Jaswant's expulsion. With Advani singing a different tune - their defence of Jaswant's expulsion is haunting them.
"Advani said the decision on Jaswant was painful but necessary," Sushma had said on August 21 after Jaswant's expulsion.
If his confidantes are confused, his rivals and RSS are not amused. As by distancing himself, Advani seems to be dumping the expulsion blame on them. The party president is refusing to comment whether there was unanimity in the party over Jaswant's expulsion.
Some in the party say that Advani on his last leg, now cares the least what his remarks will do. The discomfort is visible, the party spokesman has been struggling for replies.
"I have no idea about this. And I am not authorised to," said Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
Inside BJP office, there are murmurs that Advani seems to be repeating Kandhahar, but in the process isolating himself.