.. Recent events merely reaffirm that sermons and moralising are a part of politics and that the "before and after" syndrome is in evidence in all political parties. The BJP is no different. The February-March 1998 political gymnastics for power when the BJP, pursuing Lord Ram, discovered Sukh Ram, have left little place for sermons. Then there were the defections engineered in Uttar Pradesh where the biggest mafia dons fought on the BJP ticket. This was deemed necessary to combat Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati. Then Jayalalitha got her way, and so did others. Errors followed in the Rajiv Gandhi ATR and they surfaced again in the CVC issue. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has recently complained that letters have been misplaced in the PMO; errors and conspiracy have also been unearthed in the Urban Affairs Ministry as Minister and secretary battle it out.

Through all this bungling, the BJP theory - of blaming  the past dispensations for their poor performance -will find few takers. Can Gujral, Deve Gowda, Narasimha Rao or perhaps Ms Gandhi be held responsible for the prince of onions or the adulteration of oil by traders? The BJP was elected to govern, not to moan and grumble and blame the world for its own lack of cohesion and governance.

The question is - who is in control? Is it L.K. Advani or Atal Behari Vajpayee? Is it the RSS? There are extremely confusing signals. Clearly, even the party's allies are divided into these two" camps. Power and patronage is being extended to loyalists and ... Advani has rewarded his ardent supporters with plum posts. The RSS has got a lion's share of governors with Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh leading the way. Allies will be adjusted in the Cabinet reshuffle and many MPs are being sent abroad on the many delegations touring the world ...The problem is basically at the top (masters) lack  experience in governance (and) look for personal glory ... Jethmalani is disturbed that files from his Ministry are leaking. This is a serious matter. But who leaked Jethmalani's letter to the Prime Minister? Who leaked Hegde's letter to the PM? The ship of the state always leaks at the top when it is running through turbulent waters. (Source: The Pioneer, 5 October. 1998)