Lal Krishna Advani hype

Advaniji's personal agenda is based on three fundamental building blocks. Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Ratha Yatra's and Corruption. Interesting though, this is a prefect agenda for a politician who lived most of the political life in the Opposition benches.

Adavaniji was very good at raising emotions. That suited him perfectly well in 1990's while BJP was in ascendancy. For this firebrand leader, views against Globalization, for Hinduism and above all for sanctity in politics were good emotional topics. But India and Indians moved ahead.. While in the Opposition bench, there was nothing to deliver or accountable. Hence his three point agenda comes up handy, when ever his political survival is at stake or when he sees there are opportunities to raise the stakes. Ram Mandir and Rath Yatra's have come handy during the politically turbulent 1990's. Indians thought, Vajapayee and Advani were an excellent pair on the lines of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Made for each other and perfect fit for the circumstances.

Once into the power corridors of the North Block in New Delhi, things have dramatically changed. Being the powerful Deputy Prime Minster and Home Minister of India, Advaniji was expected to deliver the things. The problem was, for more than 30 odd years, this was not his forte. Suddenly, the so called Iron Man of India - II, was vulnerable. While the so called vulnerable Narasimha Rao Government negotiated the hostage crisis successfully without conceding the demands, Adavanji, despite all the iron fist talks surrendered to the terrorists. Lord Ram is still waiting for the mandir in Ayodhya. Only achievement if any is, he surpassed Adi Sankaracharya by his Rath Yatras going all four corners of the country. Interestingly, Utter Pradesh that was seen as BJP heartland at some point of time is now safely passed out of the BJP hands for decades to come.

The so called core RSS anti-Globalization leader did not negate any policies of the Government that accelerated the economic reforms. His BJP Government is haunted by the scams if not on par with the current NDA-II Government. His party Government in Karnataka is in the midst of crisis while their own Chief Minister was sent to jail. Only highlight is - Gujarat and for that all the credit would go to Narendra Modi. Finally for a man who is responsible for religious polarization in modern times, with out going to merits of the statements, his praise of Jinnah was a great shocker.

Lal Krishna Advani, perhaps talks too much delivers less. The problem is, the more Advaniji talks, he is exposing himself to public. For someone like me, who have appreciated Advani for his political views and stand point on various issue, Advani is fast loosing both, support and appreciation.

Without understanding the core issue of Telangana Adavani was quick to commit the state. However, when Mayawati bowls a googly and asks for splitting of Utter Pradesh into four, Advani does not want to apply the same logic - smaller states are good.

At this age, Advaniji is neither a Statesman like Atal Bihari Vajpayee nor highly efficient Chief Minister like Narendra Modi. The wisdom should have prevailed on him that he would never be the Prime Minister of India and his political retirement is the best option. Advaniji should have heard the wise counsel "one should move on from the role when everyone asks, why are you leaving not when everyone asks why you are not?" Vajyapee knows this and also he talks less to command respect. Modi talks to the point and deliver better.

Unfortunately, Advaniji, I am afraid, is just a hype!