No two rath yatras are alike, not for L.K. Advani. All his cross-country tours, beginning with the most controversial of them all — the communally divisive and provocative Ram Rath Yatra of 1990 — were designed with specific issues and electoral objectives in mind. Whether it was demanding a Ram temple at the Babri Masjid site or celebrating a rising India (Bharat Uday Yatra, 2004) or drawing attention to threats to national security (Bharat Suraksha Yatra, 2006), the Bharatiya Janata Party leader chose the time and theme of his yatras to maximise the political yield for his party and himself. Even so, the latest in his efforts to mobilise public support and enthuse party cadres, the Jan Chetna Yatra, is in a category of its own. After tailing the national movement against corruption, which was entirely the initiative of sections of civil society, and seeming incapable of taking on the United Progressive Alliance government either on corruption or the price rise, the principal opposition party has managed, through this yatra, to gain some traction on the issues of transparency and accountability in governance — and position itself for some offensive play in the winter session of Parliament.
The BJP, of course, was handicapped by corrupt elements flourishing within its fold. In Karnataka, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who faced serious allegations of corruption, repeatedly defied a confused BJP national leadership before events beyond the party's control forced him to quit and landed him in jail. Indeed, while touring Karnataka during the yatra, Mr. Advani felt compelled to declare that the party could not make any concession in the fight against corruption. Interestingly, he sought to take the moral high ground by announcing that all Members of Parliament of the BJP and its partners in the National Democratic Alliance would declare that they do not own, directly or indirectly, bank accounts or assets outside India. The question, of course, would be the truth behind such declarations and also the method by which they could be tested. But to the extent Mr. Advani managed to win for the BJP a position of some advantage in the anti-corruption movement, the Jan Chetna Yatra appears to have worked. Through this yatra, the BJP strongman and former Deputy Prime Minister might have just given himself another shot at the prime ministership in 2014.
Keywords: L.K. Advani, rath yatra, anti-corruption, Parliamentary elections
Everything has a time of its own, if the timing is perfect or even good, then things work out well; but if the timing is not good then a nice thing would turn out ugly. No ugly thing happened with the Jan Chetna Yatra, but not good thing happened either. Advaniji is a sharp politician, he, with this yatra has tried to bring himself to the lime light of the Prime Ministerial candidate. I do not know whether he has succeeded or not, only time will tell but there is a slight bit of optimism in me which says that Advani's time ain't over yet.
Well, all accolades to Mr Advani for going on another yatra at 84. But I take pains to point out that this latest yatra hasn't done the BJP any good. It was stalked by issues of corruption and incompetence on the part of the BJP from start to finish. The BJP is out of touch with reality. It still thinks that yatras like these will bring it glory when in reality it does no good, possibly a little harm by pointing out a frantic, one-sided, narrow-minded, hammer and tongs approach to politics by this party. The BJP desperately needs an image overhaul and MP/MLA wooing besides extensive voter wooing. And that needs - 1.organization and 2.young party leaders. And the BJP has practically none of either.
This 'edit' from the Hindu has come as a surprise as the paper has never been a votary of the BJP as a party with certain values and principles.What the 'Yatra' will ultimately do to the party is difficult to predict now but it has made others to take notice of the BJP to come to terms with the political realities of today and to chart out a course in the overall interests of the people.
Without doubt L.K.Advani,a veteran politician, has the stature and experience to become the Prime Minister of the country more than any other politician of any party in the country today. It is therefore sickening to hear on TV news channels news anchors and some young reporters talking derisively of what they mockingly call "Advani's prime ministerial ambitions". His yatra was on all accounts a big success and for that reason perhaps TV news channels rarely showed any visuals of the yatra. Their pick seems to be the crown prince of the Congress party for the top post, Whither Indian media and whither India's democracy?
Unchecked spending on these types of yatras put a question about thier existence. Why cann't Mr. Advani deliver his message from Delhi or a single place to all parts of country via any mode of media? We get one of its answers in the nature of Indian polity. Indian polity comprises lot of symbolic acts, and holing these yatras and reaching out to several regions is a symbol to have connectivity with the mass. But, will these things resolve the problems of country? Why not BJP play a role of constructive opposition and help the Parliament to pass second generations’ reform bills? It's ironical that such a large party cann't put a face for PM race that can be judged by public in election. It’s aptly said, ‘if you are not a part of solution, then you are a problem.’ So, Mr. Advani please provide some viable ways to untangle the problems rather than creating hype of bad governance.
I wish to make a few points. First, whether the Jan Chetana Yatra would fetch electoral benefits to BJP will be known in the next few years.. The Yatra was to get political advantage for BJP. But irony of all this Yatra and other political drama enacted by Mr. Narendra Modi (the ‘Sadbhavana fast’) is that the clean image of Mr. Advani or for that matter general perceptions of Mr. Narendra Modi and of NDA ally Mr. Nitish Kumar as good administrators, are of very little practical use for solving our current problems of high inflation. Further, views of Mr. Advani as regards corruption and black money will be tested during elections when BJP needs funds to fight elections.
But let us remind all political parties that it is time for serious introspection as regards generation of black money and its impact on our social life. Time is running out.
Sane people knows this is political stunt manipulating masses. Advani must learned that same tactics never be successful next time. Time is completely changed. Youth of India want new inspiration from young leader. Advani is too old could not inspirited new generation
L.K.Advani's Jan Chetna Yatra should mould people to accept yatras, in rath or no rath, and/or comparable practices by political leaders to reach the voters, in a perspective different from the present definition which treat them as political gimmicks. Whether 'designed with specific issues and electoral objectives in mind' shall be only a secondary concern. Whether the programme results in a fillip to people's issues shall be the prime concern. Advani could keep highlighting issues of anti-corruption, transparency and accountability in politics and governance, particularly when the efforts of the section of civil society are still hanging in uncertainty. In an unusual gesture, The Hindu acknowledges the success of the yatra. The issues can be taken forward, from where Advani or BJP left them, by other political parties as well and the people in general with greater will.
A Superb analysis of the Yatra.From being called an Iron Man to being called a Sensible Man , Mr L K Advani has used his Political learning of the past to chart a new course in changing the fortunes of the BJP for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in 2014.While the Media Analysis of the yatra points to the lack of groundswell of support for the yatra , the focus of the yatra - Corruption - must have subtly captured the imagination of the people without any need for physical presence or ground swell.One other purpose the yatra has served , as pointed out in the Editorial , is to increase the visibility of BJP not just as a campaigner against corruption but also has made it to commit itself against the menace.How much will this translate into votes and allies is a matter of conjecture as 2014 is still a distance away.
Rath yatra, the political invention of late N.T.Rama Rao, the erstwhile Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is no more in vogue. L.K.Advani may be nursing an unexpressed desire to be the Prime Minister of the nation. This would have been the locomotive spirit behind his rath yatra. However, he has a past that makes him not faourable for primeministership. For, he has antecedents that put him in a shade, inimical to the secular philosophy.
These type of travel by politicians cannot be termed as YATRA.Instead of wasting energy time and money of self and others , our politicians who claim that they are out there for public seva should do something beneficial to the common man.
The plank chosen by L.K.Advani, in Jan Chetna Yatra turning guns at Congress,ungracefully seen in quagmire of corruption and its dithering to retrieve black money,is unlikely to earn credibility, given the shabby developments in Karnataka. The political score, that the said Yatra, though has drawn a huge blank, has nevertheless earns Advani the status of being projected as the first in the race in BJP to edge out the peers like Modi, and the likes aspiring for the top job.A canny politician in Advani,seemingly has scored a point in internecine race,though not politically.
Other things apart,the determination of LK Advani at this age of 84+ years to undertake a grueling journey is commendable. While the leaders in the Congress to a large extent have the backing of an organization built brick by brick during the freedom struggle by stalwarts like Nehru, Patel, Gandhi, Rajaji etc, the BJP as an organization has been put together largely by Advani and supported by Vajpayee. From the perspective of organizational support as well as being a popular leader, Advani will be able to better represent the nation's pulse. The BJP has however discredited itself, in failing to deliver on its promises and expectations and losing its integrity consequently. Advani will do well to realize this and hopefully can steer the party and the country towards results and seriously apply themselves to the task of nation building.
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