Knives are out in the BJP

The blame-game has begun in the Bharatiya Janata Party [ Images ]. Those who are directly responsible for the party's disastrous electoral performance are desperately trying to blame others lest their role comes under scrutiny.

Sudheendra Kulkarni (Class of '80), who undid the BJP's election campaign in 2004 with the 'India Shining' slogan and fashioned the 2009 campaign which has taken the BJP to a low of barely-above-100 mark, has written an article for Tehelka, the magazine which tarred the NDA government, causing it irreparable damage, and is now the favourite perch of those who inhabit the BJP's inner courtyard, blaming all and sundry except those who are to blame. Anil Chawla (Class of '80), his classmate at IIT Bombay, has circulated an 'open letter' by way of a rejoinder to Sudheendra Kulkarni's article.

Sudheendra Kulkarni has made the following points:

• Everybody should own up for the party's defeat, collectively and individually.
• Disunity among the party leaders contributed to its electoral failure.
• The Parivar hobbled the campaign and made L K Advani look weak.
• Negativism ruined the BJP's chances.
• Hindutva is the real obstacle between victory and defeat.
• The BJP has failed to expand its 'limited' social base.
• Allies have been abandoned and new alliances haven't been forged.

... more.