From splendid isolation to squalid coalition. Having built a gigantic 18-party conglomeration to come to power, the BJP is now realising it is one thing to win friends quite another to influence people.Jayalalitha daily; Mamata Banerjee weekly; the Akalis and the Samata Party occasionally: the BJP-led alliance resembles a government less and a confederation of sulks more.What is particularly disquieting is that this situation is worrying the country far greater than it is the BJP. There seems to be a perception within the party that should the regime fall, it is the cussed junior partners who will be blamed - and the BJP will be conferred the cloak of martyrdom.Such logic is inherently flawed. Indians want an able administration, not a maudlin drama troupe. In 1997, when the Congress demolished I.K. Gujral's ministry, the United Front received popular sympathy.Three months later, however, voters punished it for misgovernance. If the present Government fails, it will be the BJP which will bear the brunt of the blame. True, the sheer blackmail by, say, the AIADMK, cannot be condoned. Even so, it is clear the BJP is instinctively uncomfortable with the idea of being a team player..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}It has proved hopelessly inadequate in terms of political management. Despite a nominal coordination committee, the coalition is essentially managed by a bunch of fire-fighters.The prime minister himself is not taint-free. For a man who built a career on oratory, Atal Bihari Vajpayee has proved a poor communicator. Ultimately, that intangible but imperative commodity called team spirit boils down to one factor: leadership.With his persona and charisma, Vajpayee has the capacity to look beyond the nitty gritty, give his coalition a decisive direction, lend his allies a patient ear but not hesitate to admonish them should the need arise.Alternatively, he can continue to act the non-playing captain - and forget about winning the next election. The choice is Vajpayee's; and it is about time he decided. Published By: AtMigration Published On: Aug 24, 1998--- ENDS ---
