Jaswant Singh expelled from BJP for good but not with good reason

As always something unexpected happens and it makes news. This time BJP has expelled senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh from party's primary membership. This needs to be analysed in the perspective of the recent events in the party. He served for the party for over 30 years and today he has been expelled for writing a book. Jaswant singh has repeatedly said that this book was his academic interest rather than political statement. Very few people might have read the book yet in last two days so the argument that he has blamed Sardar Patel or Nehru for partition does not go down well.

The question that raises is why he was not given any opportunity to explained himself before the party leaders? Though this question is quite irrelevant in itself because everyone knew that he was working on this book for last four and a half year. Many of the leaders must have been aware of his findings and thoughts on Jinnah for years. It seems that the answer lies in the fact that he has no more potential for the future. He is already over 70 and by the time next election will come he will cross the age of 75. He has recently said in an interview that he did not want to be potential for all his (remaining) life. It can be taken as an indication that he was planning to retire anyway but not in this way.

In recent months some of the party leaders have displayed open rebellion behavior and Jaswant Singh was one of them. Yaswant Sinha, Arun Jaitly, Arun Soorie and a few more have also spoken too much in the media and shown their displeasure with the way party works. Now Vasundhra Raje in Rajasthan is opposing the central leadership for last week. The party needed to sent this singnal to these that they are important to the party but if the need may be they will be face the disciplinary action. In case of Jaswant Singh it is too harsh because the reason given is that he has written a book praising Jinnah. But it was needed. He became scapegoat that is sad.

No one can/should support BJP that it is criticising the academic interest of a senior leader. Every party aspiring to the top office in the country should have some people who are visionaries, thinkers and philosophers. A new generation of people will undoubtedly come out from within the party but this action will force the members not to express their views that do not align with the party views. For a successful running one needs to listen to the criticism. If this comes from within than it is better because it can be discussed, argued and resolved amicably.

With current realities, saddened Jaswant Singh will have more time to work on the projects he likes most. He will lots of free time now to follow his passion for writing and there will be many willing to listen him. So he should not be sad at all but look for what lies ahead of him.