Rajnath calls for peace and soft Hindutva

Stop the internal war at once, remember we are all responsible for the poll debacle, BJP president Rajnath Singh (57) told a party conclave on Saturday.

He also said he wanted the party to stay a right wing group — to remain in the reckoning.

But Rajnath advocated for a Hindutva brand that had “respect and place for everyone.”

As a bitter letter war rocked the party, Rajnath sought to correct the impression that he too, like Jaswant Singh (71). Yashwant Sinha (71) and Arun Shourie (67), was gunning for Arun Jaitely, (56), BJP chief’s strategist for the elections.
Jaitlet did not attend the meet as he is abroad.

Rajnath said if one person has to take the blame, “I am taking responsibility.”

Jaswant and Shourie ignored the truce call. Jaswant said he was deeply upset by “insinuations” that he was critical of poll managers because he wanted a post. He said he would not contest the polls any further.

Shourie said the campaign was botched up but an honest probe hasn’t begun.

Sunderlal Patwa (84) asked them to stop targeting individuals and rise above personal issues to rejuvenate the BJP.