No one roots for Joshi

As Human Resources Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi awaits a final word on his resignation from Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, the RS...

As Human Resources Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi awaits a final word on his resignation from Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, the RSS has refused to back him. The Sangh stand implies a non-use of its veto power for Joshi’s installation as the BJP president in the event of his exit from the ministry.

The BJP is likely to elect its national president in November-December. The election of the present incumbent, M. Venkaiah Naidu, to the post is a foregone conclusion. Naidu is a protege of Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani who controls the party. Joshi’s name for the top slot had gained currency on the premise that the RSS-VHP combine may push his candidature post-chargesheet and thus overcome opposition to his name from within the BJP.

The speculation was reinforced when the VHP warmed up to him in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition case order and publicly hailed his resignation from the Government.

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RSS spokesman Ram Madhav told The Indian Express this evening: ‘‘The RSS has no role to play in the development. It is for the Prime Minister, Joshi and the party to decide about the issue (of resignation).’’ His statement came after RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan, who arrived here today from Nagpur, met with his senior colleague H.V. Seshadri and joint secretary (BJP affairs) Madan Dass Devi.

Madhav said: ‘‘We had a discussion on Joshi’s resignation and took stock of the situation arising out of the court order. We feel no need for the RSS to remain involved in the issue. Our elders are unhappy over the Sangh name being dragged into the controversy…Our position is that the whole case is politically-motivated and there is no need for anyone to resign.’’

Meanwhile, Joshi said while addressing teachers at his residence that ‘‘in politics, there is power and morals. Equal emphasis should be given to morality in politics. When the Rae Bareli court decided to frame charges against me (in the Babri Masjid demolition case) and asked me to appear on October 10, I sent my resignation to the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister returns, there will be discussion on it.’’

The minister positions like an MP or a minister were not permanent. What was permanent was the line of thought and faith. ‘‘The main question is morality.’’

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Joshi had very few callers of note today. They included former BJP president Bangaru Laxman, VHP president Vishnu Hari Dalmia and National Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairman Vijay Sonkar Shastri.

Dalmia told reporters: ‘‘The BJP should have withdrawn the case earlier as everybody knows it was a political case. It should not have allowed it to proceed. The Government lacks courage.’’

There was no change in the BJP’s relative indifference to Joshi. For the record though, general secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi did some lip-service. He said: ‘‘We are with him (Joshi). He is a senior and respectable leader.’’ But he evaded a clear reply when asked if Joshi could be the BJP president.

‘‘Any worker can be the party chief,’’ he said. On his being angry with the party, Naqvi said. ‘‘Dr Joshi is happy.’’ As for his relations with Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, the BJP spokesman said: ‘‘They have friendly relations.’’