Advanispeak not a hit

GAYA: A close analysis of deputy PM LK Advani''s election meeting, held on Thursday, tends to give the impression that Advani''s new moderate avatar has antagonised some hardcore Hindutva protagonists, particularly those belonging to the VHP and Bajrang Dal, without affecting any change of heart among the Muslims.
Till quite recently, it was inconceivable that hardcore Hindutava activists would publicly quiz their leader.But that did happen as the BJP leader was reminded of the party''s commitment to protect the "Hindu hit" (Hindu interest) and Jai Shri Ram slogans were raised.
Not only that, obviously disappointed by Advani''s moderation and departure from the earlier "Mandir wahin banayenge" mode, a section of the audience started leaving the ground midway during the speech.
Arvind, a Hindutva supporter from Manpur complained, "Advaniji Congress ki bhasha bolne lage hain. Ayodhya par sahmati ki baat karte hain. Kya Babar ne Ayodhya mandir dhate samay Hinduon ki sahmati li thi. Haj ki bat karte hain. Kya yah Muslim tustikaran nahin hai?"
If Arvind was disappointed by the new moderation of the Hindutva mascot, Imran, a resident of the Karimganj locality of the town, was not impressed by Advani''s new-found concern for the welfare of the Muslims.
"Yeh hamain bewakoof banana chahte hain. Abhi do din pahle kah rahe the ki Gujarat riot Godhra ka reaction tha. Yahan meethi meethi batein sirf Muslamanon ka vote lene ke liye ki ja rahin hain."
Hearing the reactions of the Hindutva protagonists and the ordinary Muslims, the BJP may have to take a fresh look at its political priorities.