(expressindia.com, August 24, 2008)
Cong and VHP: From being at arm’s length to the new comrades-in-arms
by Hiral Dave
Ahmedabad, August 23 BJP leaders are conspicuous by their absence from this year’s Janmashtami preparations, but the Congress workers are working hand in hand with the VHP to give the final touches to the festival
It's a very different kind of celebration for political parties this Janmashtami at Rajkot, where the festival is considered as a social event rather than a mere festive occasion.
Preparations for the famous Rathyatra organised by the VHP and the RSS to mark Lord Krishna’s birthday on Sunday, has thrown light on convenient alliances and unusual splits.
Congress leaders in the region will share the dais this year with the VHP. But the BJP has adopted a low profile by calling it an occasion to celebrate a religious festival together without any political objective.
VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia will share the stage with local Congress MLAs like Kunwarji Bawadia on Sunday at a dharmsabha before the start of the Rathyatra. The local BJP leaders are likely to give it a miss.
While the BJP leaders are conspicuously absent in this year’s Janmashtami preparations, the Congress has jumped onto the bandwagon. Congress workers and volunteers are working hand in hand with the VHP to add final touches to the festival.
This is also the first time that hoardings with photographs of senior Congress leaders conveying their greetings on the occasion have been put up across the city. Many local Congress leaders are said to have sponsored the Rathyatra this time.
While Togadia's recent statements might have thawed the ice between him and Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the inactivity shown by the senior BJP leaders indicates that reconciliation is something yet to be considered by the lower ranks.
But the Congress, which has drawn flak from the VHP for mishandling the Amarnath Shrine Board issue, is ready to cooperate, at least in Saurashtra.
A senior Congress leader said that participation in the Janmashtami celebrations will help the party gain some brownie points, as the VHP has aggressively launched agitation against the Amarnath Shrine Board issue in Saurashtra.
Elsewhere, the BJP has also given a cold shoulder to the VHP for raising fund for Janmashtami. Every year, the BJP councillors of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation donate Rs 1,000 to the Janmashtami fund; a committee chairman donates Rs 2,000. But this time, their contribution is nil.
VHP Rajkot city president Chaman Sindhav said: “We have raised funds through sponsors and donors. Around 110 floats and 85 four-wheelers will be taking part in the yatra.”
He added: “The route has been extended by four kilometres. On Sunday, the yatra will start from the Indira Gandhi Circle on University Road instead of Kishan Para, the traditional venue.”
Senior RSS leader Pravin Maniyar said: “We have never depended on any particular unit or person for funds. If some one does not want to contribute, then it’s fine. The Rathyatra would still come out very well.”
Bawadia said though this is the first time that the Congress is joining a Rathyatra organised by the VHP, there is nothing political about it. “It’s only a matter of faith,” he said.
On record, the BJP leaders have denied any split. “We are very much there. All the leaders and workers will attend the Rathyatra. The Congress can certainly join the celebrations. The Rathyatra has been organised with an aim to mark a Hindu festival,” said BJP city president Nitin Bhardwaj.
But BJP leaders, nevertheless, admit that all is not well. “Except Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, most of the other leaders only make a point to register their presence at the last moment,” said a senior BJP leader.
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