NEW DELHI, May 16: It is back to school for the ``BJP boys''. Vexed with the problems of ``growing up'', the party has decided to open a central training institute for ``disciplining'' the new and the old.

As a follow up to the idea which was mooted at the Virar conclave of the party, the institute will have its central office at the party headquarters with branches at the state, district and mandal levels. Though the modalities are still being worked out, according to party general secretary Govindacharya who is in charge of the entire project, there will be about 30-40 trainers and short duration classes for six to seven days at a stretch to begin with.

The school is not a run-of-the mill institute but an ``informal training centre''. Instead of the regular course material, there will be content capsules, each dealing with a particular subject such as team work, dialogue, tours. The content capsules will also vary according to the requirement of various branches. ``For instance, if it is essentially an agricultural state, it is the agricultural policy of the party that will need to be translated into variables relevant to the party workers there,'' said Govindacharya.

The thrust will predictably be on discipline, particularly in the states where the party is in power. ``Sarkarein achhi kaise chalein (how to run the government effectively), to equip the MPs and MLAs with debating and other legislative skills and not to let the heady mix of glamour and power dull their sense of mission are the issues which will be focussed on. It has to be power for a purpose,'' pointed out Govindacharya.

It is the moral IQ and not the general IQ which will be the focus of the teaching programmes and the first step has been to train the trainers. By way of lecturers, the party plans to rope in ``specialists within the party'' on various subjects who shall help in preparing the study capsules as well as participate in lec-dem programmes as and when necessary.Over the past few years, especially after the last general elections, the party has witnessed rapid growth with several new entrants. The institute aims to baptise them into the ``rich ideological traditions of the party.''

The party, which has paid a heavy price for intra-party indiscipline is keen to set the parameters. What is discipline, what is a breach of discipline and the right forum to air differences are a few of the disciplinary coordinates that will be explained not only to the four lakh odd strong cadres but also the first time MPs, MLAs and new members of the party.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.