dibya’s blogosphere

Fears were strengthened when Murli Manohar Joshi, while attacking the leadership for being divorced from grassroots realities, offered himself as a replacement for Advani.

The former HRD minister has estranged equations with Advani. His claim is sure to be countered by those who feel that Sushma Swaraj, the lone woman in the top hierarchy, with her oratorial skills, could be a better substitute.

Interestingly, RSS leaders Bhaiyyaji Joshi and Madandas Devi, who met Advani over lunch on Sunday, are also learnt to have reasoned with him not to hang up his gloves immediately in order to ensure party unity.

The final decision is likely to be taken only after a meeting with BJP’s NDA allies, scheduled for Monday. The party also has to sort out the issue of who takes over from Jaswant Singh, elected to Lok Sabha from Darjeeling, as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

Former party chief M Venkaiah Naidu is seen as a strong contender but the issue is unlikely to be thrashed out easily. There are quite a few contenders for the post of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, including Jaswant Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Murli Manohar Joshi, Rajnath Singh and Yashwant Sinha. However, the main tussle is said to be between Joshi and Jaswant Singh.

If Advani decides to quit rightaway, Jaswant could be a serious contender as the 71-year-old was Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and has the stature required for the post. The only objection to him, according to a section of the party, could be from the RSS.

According to party sources, 75-year-old Joshi, who has already thrown in his hat, may not be the ideal replacement as he comes with a hardline Hindutva image and may not be acceptable by NDA. Swaraj is also seen as a serious contender for the post but she played down her chances on Sunday. Talking to reporters in Bhopal, she said, “It is a painful thought to replace Advani while he is around. There is no such proposal and I have not given consent for any such idea.”