Actor-turned-politician and BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha has said that the perception of disunity in the BJP is a major problem for the party at the moment.
In an exclusive interview to this correspondent on Saturday, Mr Sinha, also a former Union minister, said that there is lack of coordination in the party.
“There is democracy and not disunity in the BJP but a wrong perception has been created which is hampering the party. The leadership must make efforts to correct the perception and take the party forward,” he said.
Asked about the alleged sidelining of Mr L.K. Advani in the BJP, Mr Shatrughan Sinha said, “There is a conspiracy in Indian politics, through selective media, to pull down Mr Advani who remains physically and mentally more fit than many of his contemporaries. Those who suffer from a fear psychosis are trying to deliberate downplay his contribution. The BJP needs a father figure to tide over the present crisis and I feel that we all should exert positive pressure on Mr Advani to take the party under his wings.”
The BJP MP said that the party had several exemplary leaders like Sushma Swar-ak, Arun Jaitley, Narendra Modi, Yeshwant Sinha, Rajnath Singh etc. “All we need to do is to string them together because at present we seem divided into groups,” he added.
Replying to another question, Mr Shatrughan Sinha said that it was unfortunate that the party had failed to find a face for itself in Uttar Pradesh where elections are due next year. “It would have strengthened the campaign if the party had found a face to lead the party in the polls. “It could have been seniors like Kalraj Misra and Rajnath Singh or if the party wants a youth, we have Varun Gandhi who is a youth icon and known for his dynamism. A face would have made a world of difference,” he felt.
Asked why the party had never offered him a suitable post despite his seniority, charisma and capabilities, the actor-turned-politician said, “Chah gayi, chinta gayi, manwa beparwah/ jake kuchh na chahiye, wohi Shahenshah” (I have no desire and no worries and my mind is free/ when I do not wish for anything, I am a king in my own right). “I am no longer bothered about such things because I have nothing to lose now. I may not have any position but I have my own stature which is enough for me,” he added. The actor-turned-politician further said that the party’s tendency to bank on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not right. “Atalji is a once-in-a-century person and should not be used for consumption in elections. He has played his innings and the show must go one. We must learn to recognise and encourage new talent in politics.”