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So the BJP betrays its own colour.  Its government at the centre gave the green signal to the ensuing tour of Pakistan cricket team to India and also assured adequate security to the touring players and the grounds on which plays would be held.  Yet, right under the government's very nose, Shiv Sena volunteers were able to dig up the pitch at New Delhi's Firoj Shah Kotla ground where first test match is scheduled to be held between India and Pakistan.  At this vandalism the entire country was aghast.  True, some BJP leaders also criticised the incident.  But still the BJP refuses to review its ties with the Shiv Sena which is its ally in Maharastra.  This is what is BJP.

Mr. Pramod Mahajan, BJP's most vocal leader and also a Minister in the union cabinet, has stated the ties between his party and Shiv Sena is a pretty old one.  Both fought many a battle together in the elections -- both for Assembly and Loksabha.  Mahajan's statement reveals only one side of the two's relationship.  Not in the electoral battle alone, both are fellow-travellers in their ideological campaign for Hindutva. This common bond between two blinds the Central Government led by BJP to the vandalism perpetrated by Shiv Sena.

The Sena-supremo Bal Thakeray had lauded the role played by his "Sainiks" in destroying New Delhi's Firoz Shah Kotla pitch. There is no point arguing rationally with Mr. Thakeray.  He is an irrational man, his ideology, too.  Earlier, he had hailed destruction of Babri Masjid, for vandalising cinema halls showing "Fire".   Many a time in the past, he had openly incited communal violence against the minorities.  Yet, he remains above law.  As the things going on, one may say Mr. Thakeray has become a law unto himself.

Can Mr. Vajpayee assert himself?  Can he show that he has a spine?  Let us see, how does the situation develop. "