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Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, 74, is the most highly debated political personality in New Delhi today. The possibility of his being made deputy prime minister during the upcoming expansion and reshuffle of the Cabinet is being described as "a mere formality".
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader and Lok Sabha member Vaiko told rediff.com: "I, as a constituent of [the] National Democratic Alliance, strongly stand by all the decisions of Prime Minister [Atal Bihari] Vajpayee. If at all he makes Advani the deputy prime minister, I think the PM will be doing it in the national interest. That is my strong conviction."
Lok Janshakti leader Ramvilas Paswan had claimed long ago that none of the NDA allies had any objections to Advani even leading the coalition. "Do we have any choice?" he had asked.
According to a senior journalist and Bharatiya Janata Party MP, "Since long it was proposed to make him the DPM. But I know for sure that Advaniji kept denying it. Advaniji declined because he did not want two centres of power. But in today's situation, he might agree. But I am not sure whether the PM would agree or not."
He added, "The biggest positive factor contributing to making Advani the DPM could be the fact that his working relation with [Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party leader] Chandrababu Naidu, [Trinamool Congress chief] Mamata Banerjee, [Shiv Sena supremo] Balasaheb Thakre and other leaders are excellent."
According to reports, the prime minister had discussed the issue with Naidu on June 25.
Rural Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu told rediff.com, "I do not know whether Advani is becoming the deputy prime minister or not. This is all speculation of the media. But in case he becomes one, it should be considered natural. He is number two in the government. Can anyone deny that? He is respected by all. He has a position in the party and the government. He is liked by [the] prime minister. I will not be surprised if the PM makes him the deputy prime minister."
A Samata Party leader said, "The reshuffle on July 1 has more to do with [the] BJP's internal adjustments than with [the] NDA. [The] Trinamool Congress or Shiv Sena's possible inclusion is no surprise. The BJP is performing an internal audit and is preparing a new agenda pressed by the younger elements of the party. PM Vajpayee is [being] pursued by the younger elements to look beyond 2004."
Vinay Katiyar's appointment as the president of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit is a proof of the BJP's aggressive mood, he claimed.
Naidu said, "After the Goa convention, the BJP has decided not to be apologetic about their Hindutva thinking, which talks about cultural nationalism and is not about religion."
Advani, a man credited with giving a distinct identity to the BJP after his rath yatras in the early nineties, is criticised outside the BJP-Hindutva fold for his hawkish views.
However, Vaiko said, "Advani is not a hawk. It is all a propaganda by certain vested interests. In the government he is not taking the Hindutva line. He is a genuine secular Hindu. He follows the NDA agenda and not the BJP agenda."
"Advani has come a long way. The home minister is doing a fine job. If PM decides to make him DPM, NDA allies should not have any problem," he added.
Since 1998, Advani has been consulted on almost all important matters. Many a times controversies and issues are heard in Advani's office on Raisina Hills and only the final approval is sought across the road in the Prime Minister's Office.
Even foreign dignitaries unfailingly acknowledge Advani's importance on their visits to Delhi. Aside from Vajpayee, the offices of Congress chief and Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi and Advani are the two important appointments in their schedule. President George Bush went out of his way to meet Advani when he visited the United States in January this year.
A senior Indian Police Service officer in the North Block, which houses the home ministry, said, "The man who was once a refugee undoubtedly carries an authority here. He is remarkable for one thing. He never speaks like a politician in the office. He never speaks without thinking. At this age, he is alert, sharp, and energetic," adding that it won't be surprising if Advani is made the deputy prime minister.
The debate is not just about whether Advani should get promoted. It is also about why Vajpayee wants to share his power.
According to the Samata leader, "Advani's elevation will be considered as the proof of [the] BJP's future planning. It is not a curt message to Advani's hardest critics like [the] Communists and Congress. It is a message to India. They are looking beyond [the] current polity, which is led by Vajpayee."
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