After the collapse of its Government, the BJP has been quick to wrap itself in a martyr's mantle. Cashing in on the public dismay at the prospect of a third general election in as many years, the BJP has turned the inability of the opposition parties to form an alternative Government into a means to accuse them of being irresponsible in voting out the Government. It is charging them of foisting another election on the country as though it is the responsibility of the opposition parties to maintain the Government in power. But logic is not a factor when it comes to political finger-pointing and name-calling.
The BJP's managers say that the manner in which the Government was defeated by a single vote has generated a great deal of sympathy for Mr. Vajpayee which should stand them in good stead at the polls. But does sympathy really translate into votes and seats? Unfortunately, sympathy is transient and once the actual process of a general election gets underway, it may begin to fade and what would gain importance would be the party's track record in office.
In these 13 months, the BJP has lost its USP, its special appeal of "Give us a chance, we are a party with a difference". The BJP finally got its chance in government and it has shown itself to be no different from any other political party. If the United Front Government had evoked general derision at the frequent public squabbles its partners indulged in, the BJP has been openly blackmailed and pressurised by its allies and coalition partners throughout its term in office. At the same time, the image of the BJP as a cohesive force has taken a beating, with the internal bickering and jostling for influence that has afflicted it while in power ... It was not
so long ago that it got an electoral battering during the Assembly elections in four states. .
The BJP's main strength lies in Uttar Pradesh where it won 60 seats last time. But the dissension-ridden Kalyan Singh Government has lost the BJP a great deal of support in the State. On the other hand, after its dismal showing last time, the Congress can only gain some seats in that State. Can Vajpayee's personal charisma sweep the BJP into power? Not unless the voters are electing a Prime Minister and he is the BJP candidate in each constituency. (Source: The Pioneer, 2 May, 1999)
On Fall of Vajpayee Government CPI(M): Statement, 25 April, 1999
... In the past one year, the BJP government signified penetration of the Hindutva ideology into state institutions and education, attacks on minorities, and reactionary economic policies. The end of the one-year rule of the BJP-led government, which has proved disastrous for the country, is a welcome development ...
However, the efforts to form an alternative government have failed. The CPI(M) had been maintaining for the past one year that in the event of a breakdown of the BJP-led coalition, it is for the Congress party, being the largest opposition party, to form a government and the CPI(M) would support it from the outside. Such a stand was adopted by the CPI(M) despite basic differences with the Congress ... In the past one week the CPI(M) consistently made efforts to see that the secular parties adopt a similar position. Unfortunately, the unity of all these forces for this purpose could not be achieved. The Samajwadi Party, which has been playing a major role in the struggle against communalism, refused to extend support to a Congress government, contrary to its earlier repeated assertions in this regard. This along with the stand taken by two of the Left parties, RSP and Forward Bloc, ensured that no alternative government led by the biggest party in the opposition could be formed.
The BJP and the communal forces have benefited from this sectarian stance.
The Polit Bureau in its meeting on April 25, after taking stock of the situation ... decided that if the Congress party, after making all efforts, fails to muster a majority, then an alternative from the third force should be considered. Such a proposal would have some basis only if the Congress extended support ... However, the Congress refused to do so ... A party which expected other secular and Left parties to extend support to it to form the government, in its turn, refused to cooperate, stating that no one else would have the opportunity to form the government. The Congress party will have to answer to the people for this shortsighted stand.
Now the only way out of the political impasse is fresh elections. The Left, democratic and secular forces (have to) wage an effective fight to isolate and defeat the BJP .. (Source: The New Age, 2 May, 1999)
