VHP stranded as BJP goes solo in Gujarat
There’s a distinct chill in the relations between Modi and VHP’s Praveen Togadia as the BJP gears up for polls.
By Anil Nair, TNN |
AHMEDABAD: Lord Ram is back to his quiet abode. The passionate chorus “Jai Shri Ram” that churned souls during 2002 elections is on a silent mode. Even as Gujarat is just weeks away from its assembly elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) are singing different tunes.
While the lotus party has softened its slogan to a more progressive “Jeetega Gujarat”, mum is the word for its saffron sibling. If the past five years saw an RSS pracharak making it to the topmost chair of the state’s legislature, the period also saw a firebrand leader slip into political obscurity. The two icons of 2002 assembly elections, Narendra Modi and Praveen Togadia have fallen apart. If the former avoids associating himself with religion, the latter is left with nothing other than Hindutva.
Differences between Togadia and Modi cropped up after BJP leader LK Advani’s remark on Pakistan’s founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah. While Modi openly supported his then party boss, Togadia could not give up on his religious compulsions. Further, uncertainty over Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya distanced Togadia from the BJP. Sources in the demoralised VHP told ET that there was no way the 2002 winning formula could be repeated.
Elections are round the corner, yet there has been no announcement from the VHP on its election strategy. Silence from Togadia too is intriguing. Togadia is travelling outside Gujarat and has not been taking phone calls to talk. Other senior leaders, including Ashok Singhal are in Ayodhya for a function.
“The VHP will decide on the election strategy in Gujarat after detailed discussions with the RSS and the Sangh Parivar only. There will be a series of meetings with higher-ups of both the organisations soon for this,” senior Gujarat VHP leader Kaushik Patel said.
A setback for the VHP is the recent resignation of stalwart leader Jaideep Patel who in 2002 used his stronghold in Maninagar area of Ahmedabad to woo voters based on the Hindutva wave. “I am no more with the VHP due to personal reasons. I may join the BJP, but it is not yet certain,” Patel, known to be close to Modi, said.
In the past two years, senior VHP leaders like Giriraj Kishore and Ashok Singhal have visited Gujarat and spoken openly against Modi and the BJP’s inability to fulfil poll promises to Hindus.
“Even though the situation is grim, a VHP leader insists that all is not lost. Nothing can be said as of now as top leaders may change their stand any time,” said a senior VHP member.
A cadre level VHP worker who actively took part in assisting the BJP’s 2002 campaign by showing CD’s of the Godhra train carnage to people to evoke passions said: “This time, the VHP in Gujarat my just end up watching television and not helping the BJP. Also, the iconic image Modi has built may not require any help from us.”
While the lotus party has softened its slogan to a more progressive “Jeetega Gujarat”, mum is the word for its saffron sibling. If the past five years saw an RSS pracharak making it to the topmost chair of the state’s legislature, the period also saw a firebrand leader slip into political obscurity. The two icons of 2002 assembly elections, Narendra Modi and Praveen Togadia have fallen apart. If the former avoids associating himself with religion, the latter is left with nothing other than Hindutva.
Differences between Togadia and Modi cropped up after BJP leader LK Advani’s remark on Pakistan’s founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah. While Modi openly supported his then party boss, Togadia could not give up on his religious compulsions. Further, uncertainty over Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya distanced Togadia from the BJP. Sources in the demoralised VHP told ET that there was no way the 2002 winning formula could be repeated.
Elections are round the corner, yet there has been no announcement from the VHP on its election strategy. Silence from Togadia too is intriguing. Togadia is travelling outside Gujarat and has not been taking phone calls to talk. Other senior leaders, including Ashok Singhal are in Ayodhya for a function.
“The VHP will decide on the election strategy in Gujarat after detailed discussions with the RSS and the Sangh Parivar only. There will be a series of meetings with higher-ups of both the organisations soon for this,” senior Gujarat VHP leader Kaushik Patel said.
A setback for the VHP is the recent resignation of stalwart leader Jaideep Patel who in 2002 used his stronghold in Maninagar area of Ahmedabad to woo voters based on the Hindutva wave. “I am no more with the VHP due to personal reasons. I may join the BJP, but it is not yet certain,” Patel, known to be close to Modi, said.
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In the past two years, senior VHP leaders like Giriraj Kishore and Ashok Singhal have visited Gujarat and spoken openly against Modi and the BJP’s inability to fulfil poll promises to Hindus.
“Even though the situation is grim, a VHP leader insists that all is not lost. Nothing can be said as of now as top leaders may change their stand any time,” said a senior VHP member.
A cadre level VHP worker who actively took part in assisting the BJP’s 2002 campaign by showing CD’s of the Godhra train carnage to people to evoke passions said: “This time, the VHP in Gujarat my just end up watching television and not helping the BJP. Also, the iconic image Modi has built may not require any help from us.”
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