Vajpayee forces debate on Gujarat: blame me for poll defeat, but wasn’t my fault alone

In yet another signal to his party, Vajpayee today said in Manali that ‘‘I take maximum responsibility for the defeat because elections were fought in my name. I will do penance for it.’’

In fact, Vajpayee hinted that he may just be around to lead the party in the next polls too. He told a group of children: ‘‘Our opponents got more votes than us in the elections. I will try my best to get more votes next time. Victory and defeat go side by side in life. One should not weep over a loss. But victory should be our target.’’

As the party went into a tailspin, L K Advani had to step in and it was decided that the CPB would meet on Sunday to discuss ‘‘all aspects of the poll outcome, including Gujarat.’’

Vajpayee had been insisting that the party debate the Gujarat factor at its national executive meeting in Mumbai starting June 22.

Although general secretary Pramod Mahajan, who announced the decision to summon the CPB, maintained that the meeting would go ‘‘into all aspects,’’ the real issue before the board would be the future of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. His fate, by all accounts, is sealed.

The sole point on which leaders differ is the timing and reason that will be cited for his exit. The nine-member body with one special invitee may work out the modalities for his departure.

While most leaders, from Vajpayee to Venkaiah Naidu and Sarsanghchalak K S Sudarshan to VHP’s president Ashok Singhal, have spoken on the issue, Advani has maintained a studied silence. It implies that he has kept his options open.

Since Vajpayee is firm on his stand, Advani is likely to go with him. The reason, apart from their past track-record, is simple — Vajpayee still remains the party’s USP.

According to sources, Vajpayee is keen on shedding the Modi-baggage, anticipating a re-alignment of forces in the present Lok Sabha. Most parties with ‘secular’ credentials are not comfortable with BJP as long as Modi is in-charge of Gujarat.

The CPB includes Vajpayee, Advani, Naidu, Jaswant Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi, Mahajan, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Sanjay Joshi.

According to Mahajan, Advani called up Vajpayee in Manali today and got his okay for convening the CPB. Mahajan and Jaswant Singh, who is close to Vajpayee, were with Advani when he made the call.