Gadkari makes the right noises

In an address peppered with management truisms, references to algebra and RSS adages, new BJP president Nitin Gadkari made it clear that rooting out indiscipline and the culture of sycophancy in the BJP was his top priority. “I am student of management, and commerce therefore I would say that while financial audits are not that necessary, performance audits are,” he said.

 Nitin Gadkari’s first press conference went on for over an hour, with only fleeting observations on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution and uniform civil code. It was clear that the new president had been deputed to “clean up” the image of the BJP. “My colleagues are free to differ with me, but there should be discipline and trust between us,” he said. “Anyone who differs with me should come and discuss the matter within party forums. Either you convince me or be convinced by me,” he said.

“I do not touch anyone’s feet unless I genuinely feel that the person is somebody who has that respect from me. I therefore have asked everyone to stop this culture. I have also asked people not to bring bouquets when they meet me, I have put a donation box labeled Annadata Sukhi Bhava for distressed farmers. Whatever money would be spent on bouquets should be spent on that,” he said. “I want the politics of chatukarita (sycophancy) to end,” he said.

“There is a crisis of credibility in politics, unless politics is linked to social reform, politics for power and pelf is limited,” he said.

Gadkari said that performance and merit would be his criteria for setting up a new team and that the success and failure of electoral performance would be not be held against anyone. “It is a matter of collective responsibility,” he said.

Gadkari made it clear that public service, that comes without calculating electoral gain, would be part of his new plan.

When asked as to what he thought of Rahul Gandhi’s frequent forays into the countryside and stays at Dalit households, Gadkari said, “My best wishes to him.”

In all, the new BJP chief appeared to have clarity, at least in what his primary job had to be. As for the rest, Hindutva and the mandir movement, he said, “The party’s stand is very clear, it will not change with a change in president.”