BJP’s worry

After Ram Jethmalini’s categorical public statement and the demand by senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha for the resignation of Nitin Gadkari shows that efforts to whitewash corruption charges by the party bosses, by labeling malpractices as normal business procedures of a social entrepreneur, have little credibility or takers even within the party. Others like Shatrugan Sinha and Jaswant Singh are supposed to hold similar views. Narendra Mody’s silence on this issue is baffling. The BJP can reclaim the high moral ground on corruption only if it goes all out to jettison tainted leaders. BJP supporters are anxious to know LK Advani’s view on the whole Gadkari episode. His silence indicates a tactical support for Gadkari’s outser. Insiders say it will be very difficult for Nitin Gadkari to get a second term. And if he manages to stay with RSS pressure, fissures are bound to develop soon.