Advaniji's 'honesty'

"There is nothing wrong in Advaniji criticizing poor Manmohanji," I tell myself. Any politician aspiring to be the next Prime Minister will do the same. But, the upright and honest part of me is not satisfied with the answer of my other part which wants me to behave like a politician.

The honest part argues, ''Advaniji is so concerned about Manmohanji's so-called dependence on 10 Janpath for his every decision. But, did he and other heavyweights in the BJP ever allow Vajpayeeji to function freely as Prime Minister? One classic example of subjecting Vajpayeeji to undue pressure was his going back on his highly critical statement on Gujarat riots in 2002 — Mein videsh ja kar kya moohn dikhayoonga. Not only the BJP heavyweights and RSS functionaries, the NDA coalition partners like Mamata Banerjee and Jayalalitha were also a source of constant headache for Vajpayeeji."

My other part counters, "If Manmohanji was not subjected to the type of pressures that Vajpayeeji faced, it was all due to Sonia's total control over the Congress. On the other hand, poor Vajpayeeji despite being the moderate and nationally acceptable face of the BJP did not find many supporters in his party and coalition for his actions. Otherwise, he would have succeeded in strenghthening both the BJP and the NDA."

The honest part agrees, "Yes, you are right. Had Vajpayeeji been given a free hand like Soniaji has given Manmohanji in running the government, NDA might still be ruling the country. If you have any doubt about Manmohanji's grip over the government, I would like to tell you that renowned journalist Vir Sanghvi has written many times that Manmohanji has run the government in a fairly free manner. Neither the Congress party nor the coalition partners subjected to him the kind of pressure that Vajpayeeji faced."

Oh, it's going to be 11 p.m. I am going to sleep. Rest on the political freestyle tomorrow