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Time.
It has proved to be the costliest commodity in New Delhi since March 13, 2001. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee wants to buy time, to protect Brajesh Mishra, his Man Friday.
The resignation of George Fernandes as defence minister has not given him respite. His losing knight is just not enough. Rather, the attack is moving ahead, to corner the King himself.
And the game has just begun.
Mishra, principal secretary to the prime minister, has been under unprecedented attack since Fernandes resigned. The attack is being launched from four sides.
The first shot came from Samata Party parliamentarians.
"Heartless and ruthless," said a Samata MP from Bihar, referring to politics in the Prime Minister's Office.
He told rediff.com, ''Our leader was thrown out in disgrace. Pachaas saal ke career pe pani fir gaya (Fifty years of his career have been tarnished)! Is it fair? Itihaas bigad diya (They have ruined history).''
Though George distanced himself from Samata MP Prabhunath Singh's attack against Mishra and Ranjan Bhattacharya, the PM's son-in-law, it was a bit too late. The damage had been done.
On Friday and Saturday, Union Home Minister L K Advani met many senior party leaders, including Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharti, Anant Kumar, Venkaiah Naidu and Madan Lal Khurana.
Within the BJP a strong view has emerged that Mishra, who has been mentioned by former BJP president Bangaru Laxman should not be untouched. In three years, Mishra has created quite a few enemies and they have gained strength, thanks to the tehelka tapes.
Victims of Mishra's arrogance in the party want to strike back now, an opportune time.
The times do not favour Vajpayee.
For two days, rumours have been doing the rounds about the possible publication of stories against Mishra, leading to uneasiness in the PMO.
The fear is that if the stories are politically damaging, they will be capitalised upon by the Congress. Chaos, over Mishra's role in the defence scam, is expected in Parliament on Monday morning.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, rejuvenated after the All India Congress Committee convention in Bangalore, may sharpen her attack and in that case, Mishra and Bhattacharya will come into focus.
In times like this, the PM does not have any honourable choice.
If he asks Mishra to go, his buffer goes. If he stands firm, the bone of contention remains.
The Mishra camp argues that if he goes, the PM may be targeted next. It's a Catch 22 situation for Vajpayee.
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