21 December,2009 07:08 AM IST | | Amit Kumar
It is too early to come to any conclusion on the generational change in the hierarchy of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But, with the year ending, it seems to be a new beginning for them as Opposition, no doubt.
Although the second generation leaders have some time to settle themselves since no major electoral tests await them next year, they have to sort out at least some of the problems. The new team faces a major challenge of attracting young voters to the party; the party stands divided; and lakhs of its members are a demoralised lot.
Now, when top-level changes have been made in the party, there's bound to be curiosity about Nitin Gadkari's team and its spirit. For the 52-year-old, taking charge of India's main Opposition is like wearing a crown of thorns. Gadkari, though a RSS pick for the top post, is believed to have been finalised only after consultation with Advani.
Even after stepping down as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, party veteran LK Advani, 82, has been able to maintain complete control over the top leadership of the party. Of course, one will have to wait to watch to see how he associates himself in the process of decision-making in his new role as BJP Parliamentary Party chairman.
But it is certain that the role of Advani, as a mentor of the party, won't change, and he will play a very important role in forming the new team. Like Rajnath Singh, Gadkari might not have a free hand in running the party.
It will be a great challenge for Gadkari to prove his political prowess at a national scale, as outside Maharashtra, not many BJP cadres knew his name or could politically connect with him.
How will he manage to deal with so many veteran and senior leaders within the party?u00a0 His tenure will be considered successful only if he's able to leave footprints like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. Let's watch him walk the walk.
