JOIN USBJP sources said the top brass had ordered a compilation of all utterances and writings of Shourie against the party in the recent past. "He will be confronted with these and a detailed clarification sought from Shourie in a couple of days," a senior party leader said.
The party had on Tuesday asked Shourie for a clarification on his recent interview to a news channel where he had referred to the party leadership as "Humpty Dumpty" and "Tarzan". He also suggested handing over the reins to a new leadership.
Shourie has put the BJP in a spot through his critical writings in newspapers and his statements in the press since the party suffered a drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls.
However, certain factors may prevent his expulsion from the party, sources said.
"He is close to the RSS and has even said that it should take over the BJP to revamp it. Moreover, he has not spoken anything against the BJP ideology or taken a contradictory stand on any issue as was done by Jaswant," said an MP close to the high command.
The party is also wary of taking any swift action against Shourie as was done in Jaswant's case when he was summarily dismissed, drawing all-round criticism for the step. "It would appear unjust to take action against Shourie without seeking a clarification from him," party sources said. BJP struck a cautious note on Tuesday when it took pains to state that no show-cause notice is being served and neither has an explanation been sought from the former Union minister.
Shourie himself has said that he will give all necessary clarifications that the party seeks from him on his writings and statements. "He is known for his factual and well-argued articles and is likely to give satisfactory answers to all queries," a party source said.
The central leadership is also in a dilemma as it has not set a time frame for former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje to resign.