The controversial Bharatiya Janata Party senior leader, Govindacharya, does not seem to be happy with the new ''air-conditioned culture'' in the party but expresses hope that it is a ''temporary phase''. He also expresses willingness to discharge party duties if he is asked to by the BJP. Talking informally to a select group of newspersons on his return from meditation, he said the BJP has unique ideological identity given to it by its workers and it would continue to be its permanent feature. He had raised this issue at different fora of the party but admitted that he had not got a positive response to it, the senior leader added.
Govindacharya said the tie-coat culture of the rich elite class was dominating the party today, but he denied that it ever had any negative impact on him.
The BJP ideologue did not give much importance to the controversy on his continuing as ''pracharak'' of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying he had reached a stage where it did not matter whether he was a ''pracharak or not''... He, however, added that it was difficult for him to do 'introspection' while continuing as ''pracharak''.
He regretted that his name was drawn into some controversy time and again. ''I myself do not know why it is happening.''
Referring to several controversies, including the one in which he had allegedly described Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as 'mukhota' (mask), involving him, Govindacharya clarified yet again that he had never used such word for Vajpayee. Nobody till date could produce any proof to substantiate the allegation, he said admitting that the controversy would have nipped in the bud if he had strongly rebutted the accusation immediately.
He also put to rest the speculation that he was being marganalised due to his relations with Uma Bharati, saying that she was a good friend of his and that he was proud of it. But that there was nothing more to it than that. Bureau Report