It is this turn of events that should force the BJP to introspect. Manoeuvre first, manage next is a well accepted management cannon in the corridors of power. The BJP, like any other party, needed a platform to capture power at Delhi. It did use a formula, which blended a fair degree of being champions of Hindutva.

But the recent poll results have shown that brand image by itself was not enough to continue to win the votes. Nor can the party be complacent about its win in the last parliamentary elections. The BJP should not forget that it had asked for the parliamentaryvote on the premise that it is capable of providing an able government, not promoting its brand image. And it is perhaps because of its failure to provide able governance that the electorate has decided to turn away. That should force the party to ask itself what exactly is its objective?

The objective of any political party, be it the Congress, BJP or the regional parties, is to enjoy the privilege of being in power and enjoying the fruits of all that goes with it.

But increasingly, the electorate is making it clear that it is sending elected representatives to take care of the public welfare first and foremost. And if they cannot fulfil that promise, they will not be allowed to enjoy the fruits of office.

The BJP has made a number of policy pronouncements. Some of these like the national highway project are being made without even looking into the economic feasibility of carrying them out. I had dealt with this earlier in my column.

Sinha's promise of stepping up public investment is another suchpromise. No one knows from when it would start or how many crores of rupees are being dispersed, though September is well past. Clearly, the party is creating a crisis of credibility.

But while it does not have many results to show, the party has been more forceful and energetic in promoting its brand image further amongst the public. The current poll has brought to centrestage what the priorities are for the public which votes. In the light of this, the BJP should now draw up its list of priorities. The priorities for the public, rather that for the party, should be on the top of the list. Even though Pokhran was creditable, the public decided to punish it for its inability to curb prices of essential daily items of consumption.

Agreed that creating and winning vote banks is the primary strategy for everyone in politics. But moving beyond that every party will have to closely examine whether their game plan, once they are in power, will allow them to remain that way.

BJP's brand image has a strongcomponent of being different in perception and approach from the earlier governments. Pokhran and the establishment of National Security Council proves this. Hindutva is the other strong component. But Hindutva cannot be sold to empty stomachs or families struggling to meet their budgets.

While policy pronouncements have been galore, execution has been scarce. But when it came to promoting its brand image, the party has been pretty energetic.

Creating a flutter with the Saraswati Vandana may well have been a carefully thoughtout ploy to create impressions on the public mind. Anyone can see that. But the vast masses are not impressed. In their struggle for survival, food, prices and security come first. Philosophy and ideology may be BJP's obsession, but for the public they are unaffordable luxuries. If Congress-I can deliver them first, then let us try that again, and this could well be the voter's approach. If you are the head of the house and the house is on fire, everyone expects you to be quick andefficient. Lethargy, vacillation and inefficiency will invite only contempt. Indeed when the house is burning, no one is interested in excuses. The silent message would be: Shape up or opt out.

I am not sure if the BJP has realised the seriousness of the situation. It is not a matter of dragging feet just because the political system has no other viable alternative. It is time the BJP takes stock. It should call for a brainstorming session, identify what the issues are and thrash them out threadbare. Some major issues to be resolved are as follows:

* Should it give primacy to propogating its brand image first, or attention to efficient management of the nation first;

* It should introspect its brand image -- how it was created and how should it manage it in the future;

* The party should seriously consider changing the components of this brand image. The brand should now be modified to one of the efficient managers first, and ideology followers only next.

The perils of sticking on to ideology areclear from the collapse of communism in Russia. The Russian public has not excused the new bosses or market ideology for failing to deliver public welfare. The BJP might well learn from lessons in history. Being good managers means being tough. It means not compromising on things which will hurt you in the long run. Sinha being forced to compromise again and again on his budget is an example. Or take subsidies for another. If it can be fitted into a national strategy, which is viable in the long run, it is fine.

If not, the party leadership must shun it, irrespective of displeasure in its ranks. For such compromises cannot be carried on for long, either for BJP or for the others. The same goes for getting funds for development, or ensuring a higher growth rate of GDP, or curtailing undue inflation. Strategies have to be crafted with consensus at the party level. It is not just the finance minister's lookout. And if there are issues that come in the way of this game plan, they must be resolutely fought andremoved. The BJP leadership should remember this. If you compromise to pulls within the party, the national electorate is going to ultimately reject you. So, it is better late than never. Get a game plan, and execute it resolutely. Else, you may be in power no more.

And that will make you face the question: What was your ultimate objective after all?