Why RSS's insistence on 2nd term for Gadkari good for BJP

New Delhi, Jan 22: The

should stop squabbling over Nitin Gadkari and accept RSS directive on giving him a second term as party president. This will do a lot of good for the BJP and give it a character.

The murmur of opposition against Gadkari was mainly because of investigations against his company and alleged scams (there are charges of financial irregularities concerning the Purti Group founded by Gadkari). However, these alleged scams themselves present an alternative and potent election agenda to the BJP. The party may feel that it may not sound convincing if it attacks the Congress on various scams as Gadkari himself is under a cloud.

Herein lies the opportunity to change the course of politics and the nation. The BJP should shift its agenda from hammering the Congress on scams. It should now take on the Congress-led UPA government on failures on development, half-baked policies and of course the agenda set by the civil society, like corruption or rape.

Too much emphasis on scams will bring in fatigue and the BJP will risk losing the support of the middle class. It is the middle class that has given strength and confidence to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and this support is not based on scams but because of development.

So, the BJP should overcome Gadkari hiccups, clear its throat and talk about development to fight the election next year.

The RSS is also good for the party as it provides the foot soldiers and strategy. It may also manage the party affairs for 2014 polls from their backyard as Gadkari is also based in Nagpur.

Meanwhile, according to the schedule of the election, the process may be completed on Wednesday itself unless Mahesh Jethmalani or any other candidate joins the fray for which the election officer will have to declare date for voting. However, the RSS has prevailed as none of the senior leaders are standing up against the RSS attempt to micro-manage the party affairs and Gadkari will the only man to file his nomination papers on Jan 23.

OneIndia News