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Managing Editor, IBN7

May 17, 2012 | Closed

Can a disunited BJP take on the Congress in 2014?

The BJP leadership, as of now, seems too fractured and faction-ridden. Will the party be able to take on the Congress-led UPA, which is riddled by allegations of irregularities, in 2014? Talk to one of the country's top political journalists to find out.

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We know that China is very agressive in its anti India stance and doing everything what Pakistan is doing like occupying our land, arming and training NE terrorist group. Why BJP CMs are lining up in CHina for investment? Asked by: Shobit
Diplomacy and economics has to be separated from politics.
BJP's biggest problem is the "so-called secular" English media. I would like to ask you a question like can you define "Secularism" in English media 's perspective ?. India is moving at a rapid pace but the "so-called secular" bandwagon journalists presumed theories are not moving. Media just remembers 1991 & 2002 just to keep these points in public perception only during any election coverage. Are these the only riots happened in entire Independent India ? Why don't you(media) see the good work done by any BJP state government including Karnataka ?. Most of the Industries are going out of Andhra Pradesh to Karnataka which implies that BJP governments are well governed, pro-capitalistic and pro-industry governments. They might have the internal problems but comparatively they did a good job in governance per say. Why media lives only in negative perception ? Asked by: aditya.yanamand
BJP'S problem is BJP and infighting.
BJP seen as a north Indian party and with strong contenders for top positions have not done much to get the party as a real national party to have a good base in South. Why is it so ??? Asked by: sundar1950in
because of ideological reasons .. which is more suited to North India than South India .
hi ashutosh do you think congress can retain in power after 2014 with less number of seats then it had in 2009? Asked by: zameer
Seems difficult right now .
Ashutosh, personally I respect yo as a Journalist and being following you quite a long time in the television. But why entire media faternity always go some extra mile to cricise BJP but when it comes to Congress take a back seat? Best example is the failure of Rahul Gandhi is Bihar and UP, media seems to sleeping on this issues. Asked by: SASE
i cant talk on behalf of others.
Looking at the record of BJP, can people trust them for the fight against corruption?? Asked by: Bikas
No party is serious fighting corru[ption , all thrive on corruption.
Is it personal ambition of Shri L .K ADVANI to be PM one day causing indiscpline in BJP ESPECIALLY at state level? Asked by: vinny
I do hink that Adwani should gracefully declare that he is no longer in the race.
I personally think BJP's biggest problem is "so-called" Secular English media. I know you hate to praise anything good but in general, don't you think Shri.Nitin Gadkari has done a good job in keeping BJP out of media in comparing to his predecessors ?. Don't you think he can pull out the BJP's internal problems ? Asked by: aditya.yanamand
BJP's problem is their leaders who plant and leak stories against their own leaders .
The BJP on cross roads with BSY,MODI,toeing seperate lines and LK Advani not being respected much and Gadkari as President for one more term are all omnious signs for BJP. CAn arun Jaitely forge a Unity in the party ? Asked by: sundar1950in
BJP's prime ministerial candidate will be chosen by RSS , LIKE Gadkari was chosen by RSS for party president.
what will happen if narendra modis candidature for pm not supported by allies Asked by: m m nazir
BJP can answer better than me .
I strongly feel that BJP united or disunited can take on Congress unless Sonia Gandhi takes on the reign and takes responsibility and accountability unlike at present she takes decisins and the consequences are borne by Manmohan singh. I am sure with your vast experience you would agree?? Asked by: Anonymous
UPA needs a very strong leader.
neither Congress nor BJP can talk about their strength until the allaince is sewn up. many regional parties go in for the alliance at last minute swinging from left to right or right to left. Hence it will depend on the alliance which BJP forges to tackle the congress led alliance. Asked by: sundar1950in
Absolutely , for which party needs a leader who is acceptable to all .
Asalamu-alykum Ashutosh, I would like to ask how can people of india even think of getting BJP into power when the ideology of the party has been of lowest standards and has been responsible for the communal divide in the country?Congress has also been involved in such acts but dont you think we need to draw a line between BJP and congress and not paint them with the same brush?? Asked by: Omar (sopore)
Yes i agree BJP has serious ideological problems and it need to correcft itself but that seems to be difficult as this is also the reason for their exhistence. But they take part in democracy and if people of India elect them nobody can stop them .
i still feel a united bjp under narendra modi should do the trick as congress is in a deeper problem!! what do you feel? Asked by: dash
i very strongly doubt. His problem is he does not know how to carry every one together .
Do you think, BJP partnership with JDU in Bihar will continue? Off late they have been fighting. Asked by: Kamal
It looks vulnerable right now , i doubt they will continue for long.
is it right for the bjp to project its leader befor election or shold they say the leader will be decided after election as they will be fighting electionas NDA? Asked by: VIJET
It will be better if they project a leader before elections.
has bjp lost ground since 2009.. it looks like its losing its seats in hp, karnataka and assam Asked by: sathyaki
They look week in HP and in Karnataka , but 2014 is still far .
Does this country needs president of "Progressive thinking'? If yes they Gadkari fits the bid ? Asked by: Mahendra Patel
If Pratibha Patil can be President why not Gadkari , what 's wrong with him ?
What BJP should do to appeal more to minorities? Asked by: Kamal
bjp HAS TO LEAVE THEIR ANTI MINORITY SLANT IN THEIR IDEOLOGY
Mamata Banerjee will be an important factor in 2014 too. Will she be ready to join NDA under changed political circumstances in 2014? Asked by: Arvind Agarwal
What she thinks nobody can predict but as of now she is quite inclined to leave UPA .
Regional parties and leaders are going strong. Can we see a Mulayam, Mamta, or Nitish as PM in 2014? Asked by: Arvind Agarwal
In coalition politics nothing is ruled out .
If BJP (read Modi) manages to win Gujarat again, what will be its effect on Modi, BJP and the NDA? Asked by: Arvind Agarwal
Not much
GOD BLESS THIS COUNTRY IF CONG COMES TO POWER IN 2014 Asked by: srinivass
Political track record of all the political party is as good or as bad.
Will the BJP go to 2014 polls with a Prime Minister candidate? Asked by: Bala
they should .
Every one knows that RSS is running BJP affairs. What do you think, in future they will be more visible in handling BJP affairs. Asked by: Rohit
i doubt . RSS will not .
It looks like no national party can get a majority on its own in 2014.By a coalition govt no major economic decions can be taken becouse of regional parties. I wish after 2014 elections Cong and BJP join hands to form govy by way of rotaing PM for 2.5 years in the interest of the nation and keep jokers like mamta, karuna, mulayam and others way Asked by: roy
Dont forget Indian economy boomed only during coalition era. Country was very poor when there was one party rule
Which alliance has better chance of forming govt, UPA or NDA or Third Front? Asked by: Mukil
Too early to predict but right now UPA is on a week wicket.
Is the problem with BJP structural, most of its top brass in Delhi have not come from grassroots and don't have a pan India acceptance Asked by: Dharmagya
Partly that is also a problem
WHY ARE SO BOTHERED OF BJP UNITY BOSS WHAT ABOUT CONGRESS WHEN MADAM SONIA GANDHI JI SAID BE UNITED DOES IT SOUND MUCH TO DEBATE RATHER THAN BJP TIME AND AGAIN Asked by: BANU KULKARNI
BJP should ebmore descplined than congress as they owe their existence to RSS which always talk about descipline and scarifice.
Ashutosh, don't you think that BJP is the only party, despite their infightings, who can give some fight to the Congress in 2014? Yes, they have to tighten up their belts and bury the differences amongst the high profile leaders like Sushama Swaraj, L K Advani, Narendra Modi and Arun Jaitely.Still there is time to get united to enable them to put up a better show in 2014. Asked by: Shyam Vadalker
BJP is better placed but first Adwani has to leave way for or stop interfering in internal matters of party , Secondly BJP has to choose its Prime Minister candidate. Thirdly regional leaders have to live in descipline, AND national leaders have to stop fighting among themselves.
I suppose, only one leader who can save BJP is Narendra Modi. It would be brave & risk step. But I think risk is worth taking. No party can come to power without help of its own cadre. Look SP in UP. I will say it is Muslim centric party, but got majority. Modi is the person who can hold back BJP core constituency, motivate & charge them up. It may lose few partners like TD. But many parties also can join with Modi, if proper negotiation is done. I don’t think SS, Akali, HJP, JMM will leave NDA in any case. Even JDU may not like to risk Bihar government. AIADMK, BJD, AGP can be earned back. BJP need to get more MP seats by its own with partners whoever likes to be with it. It has to focus on states & area where it can get maximum seats, where it does not require partners. Like J&K, HP, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujurat, MP, Chhattisgarh, UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand etc. All these states, I suppose have around 200 (minus UP) seats. BJP has to win minimum 75% (150). This can be done with Modi & anti-Congress plank. From remaining states, it need to get 25 to 40 seats. Once it gets 175 to 190 seats by its own, another 50 seats from pre-poll allies, it will add up to 225 to 240. Remaining can be managed with post poll allies. BJP – Be brave, get Modi to center stage. You can win & win handsomely. Dear Ashutosh – Please comment on my observation. Asked by: priya
Modi will not be acceptable , i said earlier. Future of the BJP lieas with the leaders like who has more acceptability like Jaitly , Sishma , Rajnath , shivraj , Raman . MODI IS TOO ARROGANT AND THINK HIMSELF ABOVE party , same with Vasundhara and Yedurappa . Leader is as good as party . No Body is above party and Modi has to learn that. It is party who made him CM , HE WAS NOTHING before that.
bjp is worst victim of media nepotism,always media going double extra mile for criticizing bjp .bjp dying because of media only do u agree?????????? Asked by: vinothkumar
Wrong , media cant make or break any political party .
Can BJP ever promote Jaswant Singh as PM candidate? In my opinion no allies will oppose to his name. Will RSS accept Singh? Your take. Asked by: Arvind Agarwal
I dont think Jaswant will be acceptable , RSS will not accept him too. but in coalition politics you never know ????
Modi, Vasundhara Raje, and Yeddyurappa are separate powerhouses in BJP. Is it possible for BJP to taste victory without them in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Karnataka? Asked by: Arvind Agarwal
BJP cant win without them but these leaders should also realise that they are powerful because they are with BJP . See the example of Kalyan Singh , once he was very powerful but once he left BJP, he became a non entity. Same with several congress leaders.
If BJP projects Narendra Modi as Prime ministerial candidate, Can NDA remains united? Will Nitish accept Modi publicly? Asked by: Arvind Agarwal
There is problemn with Modi being projected as prime minister by BJP . There are several court cases and Leaders like Nitish will never accept him .
I feel national parties are loosing the relevance in the regional selfish politics. BJP looses because average Indian is secular Asked by: prathap
THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE BETWEEN REGIONLA POLITICS AND NATIONAL POLITICS , PROBLEM IS BJP is loosing that balance . RegionAl leaders cant always dictate their terms, they also have to listen to the national concerns of the BJP . Regionla leaders of BJP cant behave like Mmata and Karunanidhi .
BJP'S problem is two fold. BJP itself and distinct apathy of media towards BJP. Would you agree? Asked by: N J Baxi
BJP's problem is lack of a towering leader who can control them and jealousy among them for political gains . Media is more than friendly with BJP.