Editorial: The Boomerang
The way BJP president Rajnath Singh reportedly reacted to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recommendation on deciding either chemotherapy or surgery and the NCP told Congress to stay out of government if it doesn’t get coveted sharing of ministerial worth in a coalition government has yet again proved that even beleaguered and weakened political outfits can neither be written off nor underestimated. They know how to boomerang to make a point, get seen and re-recognised for the significance of their very existence. Have anybody expected Rajnath Singh – whose days as party chief are over sooner than later – can term the idea of RSS chief as ‘stupid’, or, NCP – about which people were saying that it should now merge with Congress as Sharad Pawar’s political innings reaches twilight of his career – would dare the Congress with an angered reaction of opting out of government?
What Rajnath Singh said had less to do with Mohan Bhagwat’s idea but more with the fact that he, or his organization, is being increasing shown by media as serving to RSS, having no individual entity whatsoever, and heading for either RSS rule internally or a major break-up.
Ironically, neither RSS nor the Congress has any role in belittling of the BJP and the NCP, except that they did what politicians do: acting most fittingly in a changed circumstances and new atmosphere for driving maximum mileage. BJP and NCP wouldn’t recongise their demeaned appeal; at least they would resist attempts of their being re-priced as per their lowered political value. It’s where not just the statement of their present significance lies, but a shadow of their past value and a hope of future comeback. Losing parties want to be treated at par with what they were, or, they will be. The Congress and the RSS have not noted this, though the Boomerang like the present one is a popular political phenomenon.
Well, the NCP and BJP’s problems are distinct. What Rajnath Singh said had less to do with Mohan Bhagwat’s idea but more with the fact that he, or his organization, is being increasing shown by media as serving to RSS, having no individual entity whatsoever, and heading for either RSS rule internally or a major break-up. Singh’s remarks, most probably, were emotionally intended to deny some facts he or his party might have started feeling uncomfortable about, with robustness of choice of words. Poor chap, should know actions speak louder than words, which, he, unfortunately, neither has authority to take nor will. However, NCP followed the maxim right when it told Congress that it’s willing to stay out of government in case desired distribution of ministerial berth is not possible. With a considerable section of the party favouring a merger with Congress, this could be called a bold step. Even Congress is finding it a bit difficult to figure out a solution to retain NCP in the government. Yes, the crux of the matter is: Boomerang works, but with boldness and courage, with a ready plan of future course of action.
