Click to play videoElections are over and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is back in power. After all the election buzz, it is time for introspection in the Opposition camp.
Talking to Karan Thapar on Devil’s Advocate Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Venkaiah Naidu reluctantly admitted that the tone of the BJP campaign against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was probably too harsh and that the moderation would have paid better dividends.
Karan Thapar: People say that the attack on the Prime Minister were upsetting, for many it was off-putting or offensive.
Venkaiah Naidu: Did Mr Advani or any party man of the BJP criticise Mr Manmohan Singh personally? Nobody talked about his height or weight, people talked about the performance, you know the performance.
Karan Thapar: But it came across as personal criticism.
Venkaiah Naidu: I don't think so. Some Congressmen and some of our adversaries might have tried to put it across like that. But as far as public is concerned, I don't think that was an issue on which people have not voted for us.
Karan Thapar: Let me put it like this, Arun Jaitley writing in The Indian Express says shrillness does not pay, would you accept that perhaps unintentionally - the attack on the PM came across as shrill and strident?
Venkaiah Naidu: In India people always like moderation, and we have been trying to put that in the best possible manner, for the people. But unfortunately on certain issues a negative impact has been created in the mind of the people - a negative perception has been created.
Karan Thapar: And that was held against you?
Venkaiah Naidu: In some cases yes. That was one of the reasons for the minorities going away totally to the other side.
During the interview, Naidu also made it clear that LK Advani can't be held responsible for the BJP's poor show in the elections. Defending their prime ministerial candidate for the elections, Naidu said that Advani is not too old and that age has nothing to do with the election results.
Karan Thapar: It is quite clear today that the country wasn't infused by the prospect of having him as the Prime Minister. Do you think that at 81 he (LK Advani) is perhaps too old where 70 per cent of people are below 30?
Venkaiah Naidu: Age was not a factor. Character, caliber, capacity, conduct, energy and also enthusiasm of Advani; there is no comparison of anybody in this country. There are local factors - if Advaniji is rejected or if Manmohan Singh is accepted there has to be uniform trend across the country. With small minor exceptions, that is not the case - you have seen good results in number of states.
Karan Thapar: Then how do you explain the fact that a man so accomplished as LK Advani did not enthuse the country with the idea that he could be PM, it didn't excite anyone?
Venkaiah Naidu: You may say it didn't excite anyone, but there are thousands of people who are very sad that he could not become the PM after so much contribution to public life and to the political system of the country. And there are various reasons as I told you - different states behaved in different manner. It is not about leader alone.
Karan Thapar: There is no measure of responsibility that applies to Mr Advani directly?
Venkaiah Naidu: Not at all. No individual is responsible as I told you in the beginning itself.
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