BJP decides to play safe on seer issue

The Bharatiya Janata Party's attitude towards the arrest of the Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakotipeetha Jayendra Saraswathi on charges of murder has been a guarded one, despite the fact that the seer had been close to the BJP leadership.

According to BJP sources, the party's cautious attitude, in addition to the silence maintained by the Rashtriya Swaymsevak Sangh (RSS) so far on the issue, has to do with an overall cynicism with regard to religious leaders.

Though the seer had helped the NDA government by offering his services to resolve the Ayodhya imbroglio, the BJP feels any stand on the issue, without first looking at facts of the case may boomerang on it.

Many in the BJP were surprised at the wealth accumulated by the mutt, sources said.

"Even though we are convinced that the seer himself is innocent of any wrongdoing, the mutt's accounts and the conduct of his subordinates are another matter," said a BJP leader.

The party is observing the developments closely. If the outrage over the seer's arrest catches on, the party might jump onto the bandwagon. "Right now it's just the VHP, which is whipping up support for him. But if this catches on, the party might reconsider matters," said the leader. This could be the next big emotional issue for the party.

A ginger group of senior leaders are still lobbying for the party's support to the seer. This group includes former Human Resource Development Minister MM Joshi and former BJP chief Jana Krishnamurthy. They have also met with the seer.

Significantly, the party does not seem to be in any hurry to break up its understanding with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. "The alliance is there," he added.

The party feels that it was local factors, which influenced Jayalalithaa's decision.

"The strong stand in arresting a high caste religious seer, in a state where the Dravidian politics is the only politics, may yet reap her electoral benefits, in this situation the BJP has to be careful," said the senior leader.

The Shankaracharya's bail plea will be heard tomorrow, and the strength of public feeling will determine the BJP's next move.