India’s Hindu United Family (HUF) is in deep trouble. While the thought of victory kept it together, the second consecutive loss in the national elections and a large fall in its voting share has caused it to fall apart. Former finance minister Jaswant Singh is now asking questions about why Arun Jaitley has been promoted to Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. There is clamour for Singh to be removed from the party.
This is a healthy debate and must not be stopped — it should have happened five years ago.
The party needs to decide what it stands for, not look for scapegoats. Does it support blind Hindutva hatred or can Hindutva become inclusive? Does the BJP support swadeshi? Is there a second line of leadership or will the oldguard continue to run the party? Is the party always going to be subservient to the RSS and VHP?
These are questions every organisation has to ask at some point and the BJP need not feel embarassed about this. But the introspection must be honest and complete. If it is not, the BJP will decline further.
Sanjay Gulati, Noida