Atal letter sends jitters in Sangh

BHOPAL: Was Atal Behari Vajpayee’s “I’ll be back” promise — disavowed by Vajpayee himself – a piece of ghostwritten mischief? That was one of many themes of speculation set off by the controversial unsigned letter, attributed to Vajpayee, which dominated the last day of the BJP’s national executive meeting in Bhopal on Sunday. 

The letter was read out by BJP president Rajnath Singh at the start of the three-day meeting, and by the concluding day it had engendered alarmed conjectures among party leaders.

The six-paragraph message bore Vajpayee’s letterhead and sentences with his characteristic multi-layered meanings. Some leaders wondered if Vajpayee was too unwell to sign, then how could he dictate such an intricate message, which even contained a poem — Aao Phir Se Diya Jalain (Let’s light the lamp again).”

That the letter has become the biggest talking-point of the Sangh Parivar is evident from some BJP leaders’ plan, after leaving Bhopal, to personally urge Vajpayee to clarify matters.

In fact, the situation had become so sensitive on the final day of the meeting that leader of opposition LK Advani had to assume a gracious fire-fighting stance. “Let us all pray that this happens and that Vajpayee continues to guide us,” Advani told the delegates. But even Advani’s statement was subjected to minute readings by the BJP leaders.

Advani said he had met Vajpayee before the meet. “I was happy to find that his health had improved. I therefore felt gratified when Rajnathji showed me Atalji’s letter saying he would be in our midst.”

Advani may have doused the fire for the moment but many uncertainties continue to simmer.