BJP speaks of introspection as party is routed

New Delhi, May 11: As Bahujan Samaj Party marches to a majority inUttar Pradesh, the BJP which was hoping to play a key role in thepolity of the country's most politically sensitive state today admittedthat there was a need for an introspection at a time when importantchallenges were lying ahead in Gujarat and Goa states.

The BJP whose current strength was depleted by at least 40 seatsin the home state of its party President Rajnath Singh said the losscertainly was an issue that needed introspection after its successes inUttarakhand, Punjab and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

The demand for an indepth introspection came from former UnionMinister and BJP's star campaigner Shatrughan Sinha who alleged thatthe intra-party feud had cost the party heavily. The BJP ParliamentaryBoard is scheduled to assess the poll outcome this evening.

Much meaning is read into non-participation of former PrimeMinister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the campaign except addressing ameeting at Lucknow, his hometown. The party also chose to use itsBrahmin leaders like Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and Kalraj Mishra to thebarest minimum possible resulting in a backlash. Even some importantmeetings were cancelled resulting in sending a wrong message among itsvoters.

Dr Joshi himself did not agree that he was ignored in theelections and said he went and campaigned wherever he was asked. Hehowever felt that a 'little more focus' was needed on election issuesand there was less coordination.

The issue in the polls was who would replace Mulayam Singh Yadavand keep his musclemen under check and this is where BSP seemed to havescored, he told a TV channel.

On his part, Mr Sinha alleged the party had under-utilised Leaderof Opposition L K Advani in the polls and the organisational machinerywas in a state of disarray.

BJP Spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy did not agree with Mr Sinha'scomments and said it was more of a film rhetoric but declared the partywill have to introspect the results. Asked if BJP had laid needlesslystrong emphasis on Hindutva, he said the stress was on corruption andmisgovernance of the Mulayam Singh government and the mandate wascertainly against the SP.

UNI