This Article is From Aug 26, 2009

BJP in a mess: Will RSS intervene?

New Delhi:

The BJP is yet to decide on what to do with Arun Shourie, it hasn't yet taken a decision to expel him though some sections of the party are in favour of doing so.

Speaking to NDTV on the programmme Walk The Talk, senior BJP leader Arun Shourie said: "You don't listen... it is as though you have decided to take action against me... so be it."

That blunt interview singled out party chief Rajnath Singh for attack but for 24 hours there was no action against Shourie.

Although many top leaders agree, Shourie should be accused with indiscipline.

While they've sought a clarification for now they are split over suspending him or an outright expulsion; some point out that Shourie didn't contradict the BJP's ideology like Jaswant Singh.

And now with possible action against Vasundhara Raje, the party is fighting its own on two fronts.

Watching closely is the RSS, the Sangh Parivar's ideological fountainhead and big brother.

"These issues that have been raised in interviews or in other forums by other leaders will be addressed by the party as far as we are concerned these are not our issues," said Ram Madhav, RSS leader.

It has refused to comment on the three current crises but on Tuesday after the explosive Shourie interview it finally expressed its unhappiness with the BJP's state of affairs.

A normally reticent RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is planning a press conference shortly.

He's already indicated he's in favour of tough measures like calling for a generational change.

For Advani it could mean stepping down as Leader of the Opposition.

For Rajnath the series of crises could either help reinstate him as party chief or make sure it doesn't happen.

But that all depends on whom you talk to in the BJP's divided house.

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