BJP calls for restraint, cadres restive

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As the date for the verdict on the Babri title suit draws near, anger is mounting in the BJP cadres in Uttar Pradesh over the “studied” silence of the party leadership on the Ayodhya issue.
BJP leaders — right from Mr L.K. Advani to Mr Vinay Katiyar — have called for restraint and have urged their supporters to maintain peace when the verdict is out.
The party cadres, however, are not amused at this stand taken by their leaders.
“These leaders have set the nation on fire for almost two decades on the temple issue and now when time is ripe for “action” they are calling for restraint. They have played their innings in politics and now want to polish their images. But we still have a long way to go and we will not bury the temple issue. This is an opportunity to regain the confidence of the Hindus in UP and we will go an extra mile for this — after all, our survival in state politics depends on our reaction to the verdict,” says a former party office bearer from Faizabad.
If the mood within the UP BJP is any indication, party workers are preparing to take to the streets if the verdict goes against the Hindus.
“This time we will not wait for any directives or instructions from the party leadership but will move ahead on our own. We are grossly disappointed by the behaviour of the party leaders and the movement, this time, will be leaderless. The people want the BJP to ‘react and act’ and will do so,” says an ABVP activist.
Intelligence reports also indicate the possibility of a “strong reaction” from the saffron brigade.
“It may not be the BJP as such but there is a possibility of activists from other Hindu outfits like Hindu Vahini, Durga Vahini and Hindu Mahasabha going on a rampage. We are keeping a close vigil on their activities,” said a senior intelligence official.
BJP state president Surya Pratap Shahi and senior party leader Kalraj Misra, however, deny that the party has any covert plans to take to the streets if the court verdict does not go in their favour. Our stand is clear — we will respect the court verdict and exercise legal options if it does not go in our favour. We will not indulge in any activity that disrupts the peace and harmony of the nation,” the two leaders said.
The cadres, obviously, think otherwise.