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The hidden agenda behind Advani's 'Kamaraj Plan' for the BJP

Was there more to it than meeting the eye in Union Home Minister Lal Kishinchand Advani proposing a 'Kamaraj Plan' for the Bharatiya Janata Party at the party's national executive at Bangalore last week?

The proposal, sources say, may have "something" to do with the 'Ayodhya demolition case', which may also influence the proposed Cabinet expansion at the Centre.

The trial court in Uttar Pradesh is likely to 'frame charges' in the 'Ayodhya demolition case' later this month. As is known, Advani, Union Human Resources Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi and his deputy Uma Bharati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh have been chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the 'Ayodhya case'.

"Should the court decide to frame charges against any or all of them, they may have to bow out like `Sedapatti' R Muthiah of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham and Buta Singh, before them," the source adds.

A 'Kamaraj Plan' for the BJP, where senior leaders quit the government, both in the states and at the Centre, could save the party any embarrassment should charges be framed against sitting ministers in the 'Ayodhya case'. Adding more names to the list would also deflect from the impact of a select few having to quit the government under a legal cloud.

As this source points out, the BJP can also do with greater attention to the organisation in the light of the November polls for four state assemblies, which it lost. "Given Advani's personal equations with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, it could do wonders for the party-government relations, which is sought to be improved now. But it can also create unforeseen problems, given Advani's personality and standing within the Sangh Parivar as also the BJP," says the source.

He also has a word of caution: any court action leading to the resignation of BJP heavyweights from the governments, be it in Uttar Pradesh or at the Centre, could help the Sangh Parivar push its ''religion-based political agenda'' to the centre-stage of national politics. "Already, the anti-Christian campaign in the BJP-ruled Gujarat has pushed back the insurance-and-patents based economic agenda promoted by the prime minister."

It is in this context, the 'Kamaraj Plan' proposal for the BJP should be viewed, says the source. "The rumours about Kalyan Singh's removal as chief minister may also relate as much to the 'Ayodhya case', as to his 'growing unpopularity' within the state BJP and its allies."

Asks the source in this context: "Should the 'Ayodhya case' lead to Kalyan Singh quitting as chief minister, how could he be considered for a berth at the Centre, as is being proposed by some?"

Though nothing has been said in public, the pending case may influence the prime minister's decision on the Cabinet expansion, planned for this week. "If nothing else, his much-delayed, long-drawn exercise may end up in futility, should an expected court order within a fortnight leave wider gaps in the Cabinet that may be difficult to fill without upsetting the BJP applecart even more."

As is known, Vajpayee is under pressure from his allies, starting with the AIADMK's J Jayalalitha. Minister of State for External Affairs Vasundhararaje Scindia met Jayalalitha at Hyderabad last week, to 'facilitate' a dialogue with Vajpayee. Jayalalitha has since sent in her list of nominees for ministerial berths.

More than accommodating her nominees, Jayalalitha wants Tamizhaga Rajiv Congress leader Vazhappadi K Ramamurthy out of the petroleum ministry, and Janata Party Leader, Dr Subramanian Swamy, inside the Cabinet. She would also like 'Sedapatti' Muthiah re-inducted as minister after his unceremonious exit only days after becoming the surface transport minister at the Centre.

The source says in this context, "While Vajpayee may shift Ramamurthy, and has offered him labour, petroleum may not go to the AIADMK, as sought. Accommodating Dr Swamy will be an even more difficult decision for the prime minister to take, given the Sangh Parivar's known 'near-pathological opposition' to the Janata Party leader."

However, it's Vajpayee's decision on Muthiah that will be a signal to the future. "Should Muthiah be inducted now, it would mean Vajpayee is ready to have Advani and others in the ministry even if charges were framed against them in the 'Ayodhya case'.

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