In one sense the assessment of the post-poll fallout of the Gujarat elections made in this column has gone horribly wrong. As predicted, Prime Minister ...
The mistake lay in writing off L.K. Advani. Advani has rebounded more powerful than ever. The latest cabinet reshuffle proves that. Now he controls not only the party but also the government. He is the de facto PM. Vajpayee could not protect even his own minister, Vijay Goel.
And yet, Modi undoubtedly did marginalise Advani during the Gujarat polls. So why is Modi, and the rest of the Sangh parivar, now eating out of Advani's hand? Why did this column go wrong on Advani?
Because the movements of the Sangh parivar's various tentacles led one to believe there could arise internal conflict in it. The Sangh parivar is like an octopus. It is now clear that one head directs its tentacles. And where is this head located that gives strength to Advani? In Nagpur or abroad? A recent event may provide a clue.
Last week, Pakistan President Musharraf invited Subramanian Swamy to Islamabad for talks. Swamy carried a note from Advani. Before departing, he also conferred with defence minister Fernandes. He ignored the PM and the mea. Fernandes, vulnerable after Tehelka, has somersaulted to become Advani's shadow instead of rival. He now bleats an altogether new tune on China. Tehelka, of course, never divulged what it had on Advani in its tapes.
Musharraf can't have invited Swamy for his charisma. Nor on Advani's bidding. Musharraf was bitter about Advani scuttling the Agra summit. He would have invited Swamy only under international advice which he could not afford to ignore. Most likely the advice came from the same power that is Advani's source of inexplicable strength. And which is this power?
Your guess is as good as mine.
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