The power struggle within the Bharatiya Janata Party entered a new phase on Sunday with the leadership deciding to suspend party MP Ram Jethmalani, ostensibly for his criticism of senior leaders who questioned the appointment of the new CBI chief.
Since anti-corruption activist-turned politician Arvind Kejriwal trained his guns on BJP president Nitin Gadkari last month, an influential section within the party has mounted a campaign for his resignation. Mr. Jethmalani was one of the first to seek his ouster, citing the charges levelled against a company run by him.
The purported irregularities in the Purti Group continue to haunt Mr. Gadkari with new revelations in a section of the media that his family members were directors of the company at some point of time. The next few weeks are crucial for Mr. Gadkari as his term as party chief comes to an end in December last week. After the National Council of the BJP in Surajkund amended the party constitution, enabling a second term for the party president, it was taken for granted that Mr. Gadkari would get a second term. However, the recent developments have put a question mark on this, though he has survived pressures from within and outside for his resignation, due to strong support from the RSS.
The party could have ignored Mr. Jethmalani’s periodic jibes at Mr. Gadkari but once it became known that the maverick MP was speaking on behalf of some other senior party leaders, it became difficult for the party president to ignore him.
Mr. Jethmalani named Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha and Shatrugan Sinha as those who were on the same wavelength on the BJP chief. His latest missive, attacking Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley for raising questions on the appointment of new CBI chief Ranjit Sinha, has given an opportunity to the BJP leadership to act against him.
Having suspended Mr. Jethmalani, the BJP has no option but to act against actor-turned politician Shatrughan Sinha, who has endorsed the views of Mr. Jethmalani on the appointment of the new CBI Director.
The Parliamentary Board of the party is scheduled to meet on Monday to consider his possible expulsion from the primary membership of the party.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Jethmalani dared the leadership to take action. “If there is any action taken against me, I will welcome it but I don’t think anyone has the guts to take any action against me. I cannot speak for the party. I am a very small person in the party, I can’t predict its action but that does not permit me from speaking the truth... I have expressed my view and I am very happy that at least 3-4 persons have supported me,” he told journalists.
Keywords: BJP leader, Rajya Sabha MP Ram Jethmalani, disciplinary action, Ranjit Sinha, CBI director issue, Gadkari resignation, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley
The BJP hierarchy has two set of values. One for Yeddurappa - defying the party line and yet the party is waiting for his resignation. The Jethmalini values are based on - 'the party leadership is sacrosant - hence any questions about the leadership will be dealy with dismissal'.
Mr Jethmalini's dismissal only gives dry powder to congress to attack BJP.
If Jethmalani can be sacked then why not Gadkari ? BJP was the only alternative to Congress however BJP party policies doesn't seem to be making impact on Aam aadmi.Mr Jethmalani should take his ouster as opportunity and ought to join Aam aadmi party where he would enjoy more freedom. On the other hand Mr Kejriwal who might need another intellectual may think about it.
BJP leadership is foolish.
Jethmalani has been voicing what any decent party leader should do.
Resign, face the charges, come back after clearing your name.
While agreeing that Ram Jethmalani is a talkative fellow who talks on anything under the sky without diplomacy, BJP cannot refurbish its sullen image with these gimmicks. It has to pay a very heavy price for its lack of political skills & acumen. While Congress party has ruined peoples aspirations, BJP shattered them.
Mr. Jethmalani is a soft target.Why no action against Yeddy? He is
issuing statements of far more serious indiscipline on a daily basis.
Instead of acting against him, the party is pleading with him with
folded hands.
BJP is going through a crisis of its own.By the party sticking on to Gadkari's continuace the party has damaged itself.Atleast Gadkari should have volunteered his resignation to avoid slur to the party's image.Now comes Jetmalani's suspension.Apprently a shadow boxing behind the scene is going on a PM situation post 2014elections.Even now if there is wisdom in the party they should ask Advani to take the leadership to restore some hope.Otherwise UPA III will have the last laugh/v n ramachandran
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