Finally, Dy PM spoke: PM is ‘the’ leader

Though Human Resources Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi had continued to make attempts to put Naidu in the dock, his was the lone voice in the open against the BJP president. Joshi had clearly failed to mobilise any support in his tirade against Naidu.

In this situation, a persistence with his current drive was bound to make Joshi’s own position embarrassing and make him vulnerable to the charge of indiscipline.

Naidu, notwithstanding Joshi’s campaign, is apparently safe now with Vajpayee and Advani having struck peace. He could lose his job if Vajpayee had so demanded. However, Vajpayee, after administering a public snub to him, was content with leaving the matter there.

On his part, Naidu had made sufficient amends for his misdemeanour. A meeting between Vajpayee and Advani at the former’s residence on June 5 had settled the matter completely. Vajpayee, realising that the matter had been blown up rather too much, was also in a conciliatory mood. He referred to his Advani-will-lead-the-campaign-remark and asked the Deputy Prime Minister during the meeting: ‘‘Aapne galat to nahin samajh liya (Hope you haven’t misunderstood)?’’ To this, Advani responded by telling him that he had not.