A day after Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi displayed a massive show of strength in Ahmedabad, BJP high command on Sunday virtually issued a gag order to its leaders not to speak on party’s prime ministerial candidate issue, seen by many as a message to BJP’s current and prospective allies. There is a growing clamour within the BJP to project Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, considered as a Hindutva icon, as the PM candidate. In fact, the first meeting of the newly-appointed party office bearers saw the electoral strategy — to fix the government on inflation and corruption issue and capitalise the people’s anger against the ruling Congress. Sending out a message to party workers to be battle ready as early general polls are possible, the top brass asked leaders not to divert the attention from party’s achievements by creating unnecessary controversies by speaking out-of turn.
Significantly, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav again praised BJP parliamentary party chairman L.K. Advani, who had Saturday invoked the Ram Mandir issue ahead of crucial electoral battle.
Interestingly, Mr Advani on Sunday asked party workers to focus on good governance, prudent politics and clean image to win the electoral battle. He also asked party workers not to get “over confident, which he blamed for losing the 2004 Lok Sabha polls”.
BJP top brass emphasised on discipline and improving party’s image. BJP top leadership claimed political situation prevailing in the country was strongly anti-Congress and in its favour but raised concerns that this opportunity may be frittered away due to the actions of some leaders, who speak out of turn.
Issuing a gag order on PM candidate issue, BJP chief Rajnath Singh asked partymen not to speak without authorisation.