BJP just can’t make up mind on early polls

In a move that’s bound to invite sharp reactions from its allies, the BJP’s brainstorming session near Mumbai has been discussing ...

In a move that’s bound to invite sharp reactions from its allies, the BJP’s brainstorming session near Mumbai has been discussing suggestions for advancing general elections with some party leaders maintaining polls in February-March next year isn’t such a bad idea.

But other leaders are cautioning against rushing into early polls. They feel it will be prudent to wait for the outcome of the Assembly elections in four states later this year. The results, they say, should be taken into account before jumping at the idea of advancing the elections.

Sources said the Big Two — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his deputy L K Advani — did not make their preferences known but going by their comments, it appears they did not warm up to a suggestion for simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha polls later this year.

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It’s learnt that two streams of thoughts on early polls emerged during discussions on Wednesday which saw both Vajpayee and Advani participate. One group felt the LS polls should be held together with the Assembly polls in November, saying this would help the party formulate a common strategy and, hopefully, gain at both levels.

But the other group advised an evaluation of the Assembly poll results, maintaining this would help the party forge a poll plank for the general elections. This would give the party more time to consider its strengths and weaknesses and study the Opposition’s plans.

In fact, a senior party functionary had made it known that if the results of the Assembly polls in November this year were to be positive, the BJP would do well to give a serious thought to general elections as early as February next year. ‘‘Why shouldn’t the party encash the mood, where’s the guarantee it will hold until October next year (when general elections are due),’’ he argued.

Director general of the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, who’s been personally supervising all arrangements at the Chintan Baithak venue, said Advani flew to Mumbai from UK early Thursday morning but joined the deliberations immediately after breakfast with the PM and party president Venkaiah Naidu.

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Advani would be coordinating the discussions on Friday in the absence of Vajpayee. The PM returned to New Delhi on Thursday afternoon and is leaving for China on Sunday. Maharashtra BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar, overseeing administrative arrangements, said the discussions had been progressing fruitfully though no official resolutions were being tabled at this stage.

The PM’s exit and Advani’s late arrival, he said, had not been a deterrent in any of the sessions. Meanwhile, a statement issued by the BJP last evening said the participants at the meet conducted a comprehensive state-wise review of the political situation and the party’s preparedness in realising ‘Mission 2004’.

The baithak also discussed the BJP’s relations with its allies in the NDA in different states. It further stated that the members also reviewed the NDA’s developmental initiatives and considered ways and means for their speedy implementation.

The participants also complimented the PM on his recent peace initiative in Pakistan while Advani briefed them about his deliberations in the US and Britain where the initiatives were acclaimed.

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‘‘It has once again convinced the international community of Shri Atalji’s sincere efforts to establish peace and normal relations with Pakistan and to resolve all bilateral issues with our neighbour through dialogue,’’ he said.