Is this the LK Advani moment

 For those of us fortunate to have witnessed the hey days of Ram Janam Bhoomi Movement LK Advani (LKA) was the perfect political leader - articulate, patient, extremely intelligent and a die hard Hindu warrior. 

Like so many others yours truly regretted his decision to give up the PMship in favor or ABV.  A great, selfless decision that only served to further endear him to us. 

So many of secretly hoped he would one day become PM.  After all he was most deserving.  He was the chief architect of BJP's rise from 2 seats to the principal opposition party.  The man who gave a real political shape to Veer Savarkar's Hindutva. 

But LKA's image as the Hindutva Iron man had its limits.  In a caste ridden country where Hindutva was often (and erroneously) mistaken for upper caste supremacist ideology his physical embodiment of the ideology imposed serious boundaries on his appeal to the broad coalition needed to trounce the Congress. 

It is at this point that he made the fatal political miscalculation.  In an ill advised trip to Pakistan he praised Jinnah - the architect of partition.  A man reviled by most Indians and particularly by BJP's core voter. 

LKA ended up falling between two stools.  He was looked upon by BJP's core with suspicion - as a politician who would jettison his core beliefs to gain a broader appeal.  And the pseudosecular tribe he had helped define as a socio-political group gazed upon him with the same suspicion - a Hindu fanatic turncoat willing to trade his beliefs for political acceptance aka political gain. 

In his desire to appear 'moderate' LKA lost everything and gained nothing. 

Political pundits have analyzed LKA's misguided impulses - what prompted such a drastic U-turn.  Most have (rightly) concluded that time was running out.  

But in disappointing his core supporters he lost the army he needed to win the ground game.  Coalition partners could never replace the passion, the willingness to put life and limb on the line that came with being a BJP karyakarta. 

BJP karya kartas seldom join BJP for money, power or influence.  Their core objective is to bring about Akhand Bharat - the reign of Hindutva. 

One they detected a vacillating LKA they simply gave up.  An that has lost its heart can never trump - no matter what weapons you equip them with. 

It may be too premature to call this NaMo's LKA moment but unless drastic steps are taken to protect BJP's karya karta, a similar disillusionment could take root.  And once this takes root, turning it around becomes close to impossible. 

BJP's victories in 2014 and 2019 were won the backs of those selfless, hard working karya kartas.  Their enthusiasm was infectious.  They were willing to go toe to toe wth anyone.   We saw it again in WB. 

But with both WB and Kerala witnessing merciless killing, rape and torture of the karya karta, BJP has to wonder how long they will fight for generals who do little to defend, protect or seek retribution. 

There are several ways for BJP to retalliate.  This BJP team isnt exactly Gandhian.  They know how to play hard ball.  Its time the gloves came off. 

The best way to take out a tyrant is to send them a message.  There are several options available and dont need to be spelled out here.  But the million dollar question is - Does the current BJP leadership have the stomach to exercise said options?

P.s. Given the situation on Indo-Pak-China border, BJP's options are limited.