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BJP, the main opposition party, is lacking direction after ruling India for 5 years. BJP was the only party successful in ruling India for the entire term other than the Indian National Congress.

BJP portrayed itself as an alternative to the Congress. But once they lost the parliament elections, they seem to be walking in the darkness and meanwhile Sonia Gandhi and Congress (I) are moving ahead by far.

BJP tried their Hindutva card many times. It even helped them to attain power at the center. But the same Hindutva card is giving them hard time these days. The economic progress of India is bringing together the religions and castes of India. Instead of fighting against each other, Hindus and Muslims had learned that it is better to have economic prosperity than hatred.

Even though the hatred between hardcore Hindus and Muslims still exist, they seem to be in a healthy fight to gain supremacy in economic terms. Peaceful conditions between India and Pakistan are also helping the Congress government to push the economic reforms further.

Since CPI (M) began to enjoy the power at the center, they are planning to extend their influence into the Hindi Belt by playing the anti-caste card. If the CPM is successful in establishing bases in North India, then it will become a powerful enemy for the BJP.

BJP itself is under internal power struggle and they are not yet able to portray a second-generation leader as a national leader. Still they have to bank on Vajpayee and Advani.

And at the time of their 25th anniversary as a party, BJP’s future looks bleak. Unless they make a dare step this party will also go down in the pages of history books.

What BJP should do is, they have to become like the Republican Party in the United States. Republican Party in USA stands for Pro-Christian, Pro-White even though they are not saying it in public anymore. But everyone in US knows what the Republicans stand for. Unless BJP becomes like the Republican Party, BJP will not play a good role in the future of India.

In order to bring a second-generation leader as the national president of the party, let the party conduct a national poll. Just like the American leaders fight during the pre-presidential election, let the contenders for the top post go to the party members and seek their vote. And let the leader winning the most states or most party electoral votes become the national leader of the party. Otherwise internal conflict will not allow give BJP a proper leadership.

The members of the party who had helped the party to achieve this much should elect the president of the party and not the top brass sitting in New Delhi alone. If the members want hard hitters like Advani or Modi, let them have it. Or if they want a more modern face like Mahajan, let the people decide it.

Instead of playing mere politics, the BJP should play good politics. They should have supported the move to give Indian Citizenship for any NRI’s who took another countries citizenship. That move would have improved the image of BJP.

When the Bangladeshi Rifle’s tortured and killed BSF jawans, BJP government didn’t take any kind of steps to take revenge. Instead they found themselves more comfortable in their plush corridors of power. People of India are not fools. Hindutva cannot win them people’s favor every time.

Indians are now looking for a strong leadership like Indira Gandhi’s who will make India stronger and proud and who ever shows such an image, that person will win the heart of Indians.

And Sonia Gandhi is all set to take that position. Instead of just attacking her for everything, BJP should show the people that they are not just ‘a party’ but they are ‘the party’.

When the party is at this juncture, I believe the top brass of BJP should sit and think seriously about the future of the party and India. Otherwise the alternate to the Congress will again be a dream.

BJP should become a center-right party, which will include all members of the society rather than stand alone as a far-right party.

Stephen John

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