ADVANI RESIGNATION THROWS THE BJP INTO TURMOIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 004270

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR IN PK
SUBJECT: ADVANI RESIGNATION THROWS THE BJP INTO TURMOIL

REF: NEW DELHI 4232

Classified By: Charge Bob Blake, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (U) BJP President LK Advani threw his party into turmoil
on June 7 when he abruptly announced his resignation after a
tempest erupted following his recent visit to Pakistan
(Reftel). In his letter of resignation Advani stood by his
remarks in Pakistan praising the country's founder Muhammad
Ali Jinnah, maintaining that "I have not done and said
anything in Pakistan that I need to review," and that his
resignation would be in the party's best interest.


2. (U) The press reported that a number of BJP leaders have
attempted to convince Advani to withdraw his resignation.
Describing the reactions of some hard-line Hindu nationalists
in the party allied to the RSS and VHP to his statements in
Pakistan as "most unfortunate," he insisted that he would not
withdraw his resignation. Advani purportedly told party
colleagues that he was particularly hurt by statements from
VHP leader Pravin Togadia labeling him a "traitor." Former
Prime Minister Vajpayee, who is currently vacationing in
Himachal Pradesh, has cut short his trip and is returning to
New Delhi to meet with senior party leaders.


3. (C) Embassy contacts report that should attempts to get
Advani to withdraw his resignation fail, the BJP will turn to
selecting a successor. The Sangh Parivar (Hindu family of
organizations) purportedly hopes to convince the BJP to name
its candidate Ram Manohar Joshi to the post, with party
moderates backing former party President Venkaiah Naidu.
Post will provide detailed analysis septel.
BLAKE