Up against growing dissidence in several state including poll bound Gujarat, senior BJP leader LK Advani on Tuesday cracked the disciplinary whip at party leaders, cautioning them to desist from infighting.
Addressing the BJP?s parliamentary party meeting, Advani told members that the internal bickering was denting the party?s image, which if unchecked, could impact its standing in coming elections. Beginning Gujarat this year-end, most of the BJP-ruled states like Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh are scheduled to go for polls next year. It is no secret that in a number of these states, sections within the state units are up in arms against CMs. Worse, in some cases central leaders are playing a key role in fostering the dissidence. For instance, in Rajasthan, senior leader Jaswant Singh has been extending full patronage to dissidents against CM Vasundhara Raje.
Referring to the self-proclaimed image of ?party with a difference?, Advani said, ??In the recent past we managed to up our stakes, as we handled well in dealing with issues like Nandigram, UP blasts, Karnataka fiasco, shifting of Taslima and internal security.??
But we need to be careful in our behaviour, while dealing issues internally.??
“We are at the threshold, opportunity loom large. But reports in media about internal bickering send a wrong signal. Through you I want to caution all in the party to desist from such activities,” quoting Advani BJP’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha VK Malhotra said.