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COVER STORY: A. B. VAJPAYEE
THE ATAL FILES: Why He Failed
HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE NDA PARTNERS
 Last
week's attack on the PMO by Shiv Sena's Sanjay Nirupam was the proverbial
last straw. But since assuming power in 1998, Vajpayee has failed to manage
the contradictions of a diverse coalition. If the first term was marred
by J. Jayalalitha, the second term witnessed problems with Trinamool, the
Shiv Sena, Samata and impossible demands by the DMK. All of which made the
NDA seem a fractious and incoherent bunch.
PARTY PRESSURES ADDED TO HIS WOES
 Vajpayee's
relations with his own party and the wider Sangh Parivar were always awkward.
While the BJP showed restraint in his second term, the various RSS affiliates
were unceasing in their attacks on his economic reforms. His government
was called "anti-national" and "criminal" for its
reformist zeal. Party problems were confined to jostling for ministerial
berths and resolving leadership problems in Uttar Pradesh.
THE PMO WAS GETTING TO BE A SCANDAL
 Far
from being a supportive lifeline, Vajpayee's PMO created complications
for him. Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra was seen to be running a parallel
foreign office and N.K. Singh was perceived as a super czar of the economic
ministries. Such was the disrepute of the PMO that the Tehelka tapes became
the basis for an assault on the Government's integrity. The former UTI
chief's phone roster was the final nail.
HE WAS JUST TOO MUCH OF A RECLUSE
 For
a man who came into his own in front of large gatherings, Vajpayee was
a recluse. He hated interactions with his ministers, MPs and bureaucrats.
Disinterested in political and administrative details, he grew increasingly
out of touch with his party and government and offered no leadership.
Since his knee troubles, he has hardly travelled within India, despite
persisting with his international travel. He seems plain tired.
Euphoric Highs And Abysmal Lows
MAY 11, 13, 1998
Nuclear test, Pokhran (Rajasthan)
NOVEMBER 25, 1998
BJP loses assembly elections in Delhi, Himachal and Rajasthan.
FEBRUARY 21, 1999
Lahore bus ride: Vajpayee meets Nawaz Sharif; signs declaration.
MAY 5-JULY 26, 1999
Operation Vijay initiated after Indian patrol was ambushed, leading to
Kargil victory.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2000
Vajpayee's US visit begins; boost to Indo-US relations
FEBRUARY 5, 2001
PMK resigns from NDA government.
MARCH 13, 2001
Tehelka scandal; Bangaru Laxman; George Fernandes resign. Mamata quits
NDA.
MAY 13, 2001
Jayalalitha becomes Tamil Nadu CM despite convictions on corruption charges.
JULY 2, 2001
UTI suspends US-64. PMO and FM blamed by the Opposition.
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