.. The message of the Jaswant episode is that the country's chief executive could not appoint a minister in his Cabinet on whom he had set his heart ..

Vajpayee's temperament being what it is, he is not able to assert more. He may also not want to rock the boat at this stage. His exit - if he decides to throw in the towel - would jeopardise the alliance. His capitulation raises other questions. His inability to stand up on seemingly small issues raises doubts about his capacity to be firm on vital matters ... The 3% increase in the BJP's vote share this time is essentially due to the Vajpayee factor, a euphemism for moderation, liberalism and change. That is the reason for the party's gain in the South.

There is a growing perception that the RSS is interfering in appointments. This can break the fragile relationship of the BJP with its allies. And today the BJP ... had to tone down its programme. Every partner has made it clear that it is with the BJP because the party has accepted 'their' agenda. They have not accepted 'its' agenda. The allies are not only bargaining for their share in power ... They have also set the ideological agenda for the government. They are supporting the BJP because it has given them assurances on secularism and promised not to raise the Babari Masjid issue or the Uniform Civil Code or Article 370 and these parties make no secret of this fact.  Not one of the 100 MPs belonging to the allies has come out in defence of the RSS or its programme. ...

It is not inconceivable that when any of the regional parties decided to severe its ties with the BJP, they will  make the RSS an issue ...            (Source: The Indian Express, 7 April, 1998)