BJP v/s Democracy?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to be in a state of shock since its defeat in the 2009 general elections. And instead of recuperating from the shock, its taking steps which can not be called democratic or wise or both.

Lets take two cases, both equally important, both related in some way to my state Rajasthan, and both tackled equally in undemocratic ways. We'll deal with both of them in chronological order.

The first example is of ex-CM of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje. As everybody knows, all of a sudden she was told by the 'high-command' to quit the post of the Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly. For the sake of information let me tell you, the BJP has 78 MLAs out of the total strength of 200 in the state assembly. And out of these 78, more than 50 MLAs stood for Raje (that's nearly two-thirds majority) and these MLAs even tried to review the order. They travelled to New Delhi to meet party's top leader L K Advani and party president Rajnath Singh. Advani refused to meet them. Later, two of Raje's staunch supporters Rajendra Rathore and Gyan Dev Ahuja were expelled from the party on the grounds of indiscipline. (dude.... if being in majority is indiscipline, then i guess the BJP top brass need to review 'their definition' of indiscipline....)

Another example is a more recent one. Its regarding another senior BJP leader. Coincidentally, even he belongs to Rajasthan. He is the ex-armyman ex-Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh. And the basis of his ouster from the BJP is supposed to be his latest book "Jinnah : India, Partition, Independence" based on his personal research depicting his views on the partition. Well, here I jump again to comment on this issue. If expressing one's views is a crime, then BJP stands nowhere. BJP is okay with communal remarks of Varun Gandhi against a community. But BJP isn't okay with expression of views.

Jaswant Singh did not release his book as a party document, he released it as an independent author. Its disheartening to see such senior leaders of a party being treated in such a disgraceful manner. What was the fault of Jaswant Singh? That he praised Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who is the father of nation of Pakistan. That he felt that Nehru was more to be blamed for the partition than Jinnah. Even the then-PM-in-waiting Advani praised Jinnah. He was also criticised for that. But he wasn't expelled. He wasn't sidelined. Well, whatever be the story, the conclusion is somewhat clear : The BJP has lost it !!!

Ab jo kaam karna chahiye, wo to karte nahi hai.... BJP needs to find a replacement for Lal Krishna Advani. It has so far failed to find young faces to represent itself. And the Congress on the other side, has developed its new bunch of young politicians.

And in a recent series of twists and turns, Advani camp is reportedly wooing Vasundhara Raje to quit and fill the place left void by the exit of Jaswant Singh. Looks like - Saam Daam Dand Bhed - all the tricks in the book are being tried and tested.

I am not a supporter of any political party. I am just putting my thoughts forth on the issue as any other Indian. Hope this era of 'undemocratic politics' end here.