In the realm of Indian politics, paradox often masquerades as principle. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) approach to ‘internal democracy’—a party that never tires of proclaiming its commitment to democratic ideals but quietly deviates when power equations demand expediency. The ongoing process—or the carefully staged performance—for “selecting not electing” the new national president of the BJP is a vivid case in point.

Myth vs Reality: BJP’s Claims of Grassroots Elections
The BJP, in its public articulation, presents itself as the paragon of internal democracy. It maintains that elections are held at various levels—booth, district, state, and national—to elevate committed workers to leadership roles. Yet, the reality beneath this democratic veneer reveals a highly centralised decision-making structure, where real power flows from the top—precisely from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leadership.

Attacking Congress While Mimicking Its Model
Ironically, the BJP routinely attacks the Congress for throttling democracy, especially invoking the dark chapter of the........

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