Veteran leader's yatra against corruption may not let other party leaders realise their dreams.
Cornered on the issue of cash-for-votes scam, BJP patriarch Lal Krishna Advani announced to undertake a rathyatra on the issue of corruption. But the sudden announcement of the yatra, maybe later this month, has come as a surprise for his party.
The announcement gives clear indication that the 84-year-old veteran has not yet given up his political aspirations, which means the plans of other leaders within the party may not succeed. The formula that gave the leader instant glory 21 years ago will now be used as a weapon to mobilise masses on the issue of corruption.
Even as his 'communications office' insisted that the "details are being finalised", it was indicated that Gujarat could play a significant role in the rathyatra. After all, Gandhinagar is Advani's constituency.
It may not be a coincidence but September 25 is the anniversary date of his grand Ram rathyatra taken out in 1990 from Somnath to Ayodhya. A couple of days after September 25, the auspicious period of Navratri will begin and it may not come as a surprise if Advani's rath rolls out around that time. Sources in the state unit of BJP say it is a custom for Advani to visit Gujarat every year on this anniversary.
Incidentally, Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela has announced that the party will formally start its election campaign from Kutch on the first day of Navratri. The "spur of the moment" announcement by Advani has bemused BJP functionaries in his constituency as well. The countdown for the 2014 elections has started, they chuckle.
Any reference to rathyatra and Advani immediately brings back the memories of the phenomenal yatra exactly 21 years ago in 1990. From Somnath to Ayodhya, the yatra was without doubt a defining point in the modern history of Indian politics, as it changed the course of BJP.
"The response then was unbelievable. He was at the peak of his popularity. No other yatra, even Modi's Gaurav Yatra, has got that much response. The entire country was caught in a frenzy on the issue of Ram Janmabhoomi," says a senior functionary in Gujarat BJP, who had then accompanied Advani as a novice in the Gujarat leg of his yatra. Modi accompanied Advani through the yatra.
The yatra catapulted the BJP to power later. "In addition to gaining power, the yatra consolidated the party as the biggest political party. Before that, the party was not that organised. It gave our leaders the confidence and the cadres an expertise in organising such events," another source added, requesting anonymity.
However, now the situation has changed. Narendra Modi is a towering figure in Gujarat and he is unlikely to allow anyone, including Advani, to get more prominence than himself. Majority of Advani's loyalists (legislators and parliamentarians) have been denied tickets even though they were considered strong candidates. Late home minister Haren Pandya was among them.
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