A five-paragraph statement signed by LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Shanta Kumar and Yashwant Sinha appeared in the media, blaming the defeat on party president Amit Shah, without actually naming him. It said the Bihar defeat evidenced the saffron party's emasculation over the last year. All the signatories of the letter had been sidelined when Shah and Modi took the reins of the party in 2014.
The letter came as an early Diwali gift for the self-styled gagsters on Twitter. Intolerance was the buzzword, as many wondered whether actor Anupam Kher, the spearhead of 'March for India' last week, would now lead a march to Advani's house.
.@AnupamPkher sir want to join protest March into advani ji's house tomorrow let us know what time and where
— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) November 10, 2015
I'm sure Anupam Kher will again lead a volatile march against LK Advani Group of BJP and protest Against their Intolerance.. #AdvaniRevolts
— DheeRaj Fartode (@dheerajworld) November 10, 2015
Revolt of old guard within @BJP4India , including veterans like Joshi, Advani, Sinha etc is actually a...
— Akash Banerjee (@akashbanerjee) November 10, 2015
Anupam Kher will revolt tomorrow to show no one has revolted #AdvaniRevolts
— Shekhar (@MangoBwoy) November 10, 2015
For many, this was an opportunity to make jokes about age and question how a letter dated November 11 could be released a day earlier.
Margdarshak mandal is finally showing some teeth, apart from displaying it in a cup of water everynight.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 10, 2015
For their old age, Sinha, Advani, Joshi are in quite a fast forward mode! Letter dated 11.11.2015 leaked to media today. Lol
— Neetakolhatkar (@neetakolhatkar) November 10, 2015
Advani, Shanta Kumar, Joshi & Sinha may have a combined age of 333 but they are ahead of their times. By one day. pic.twitter.com/8cAlyYPiYn
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) November 10, 2015
Advani, Joshi, Lalu back in the headlines. Turns out it is Throwback Tuesday in India….
Now this word 'veterans' has become very confusing.
#OROP or
#BJPRebellion
#AdvaniRevolts
— Satbir Ahluwalia (@satbirahluwalia) November 10, 2015
— Tanvi Madan (@tanvi_madan) November 10, 2015
BJP leader Giriraj Singh's comments that critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi should go to Pakistan led people to suggest the same course of action for Advani and company.
@ARNAB_G0SWAMI It will be great to see if Mr Advani asked by bhakt that he is born Pakistani & leave for there immediately!
— Bharat Parbhane (@parbhane) November 10, 2015
#SamjootaExpress status @PMOIndia #BiharAfterShock #AdvaniRevolts @DrunkVinodMehta #IntoleranceDebate pic.twitter.com/lFpFr5FGUw
— Syed Mohsin Andrabi (@snishom) November 10, 2015
Meanwhile, the prime minister was praised for his abilities to unite long-time rivals Advani and Joshi.
First he brought Nitish and Lalu together. Now it's Joshi and Advani's turn. Narendra Modi is India's #1 couples counselor.
— Overrated Outcast (@over_rated) November 10, 2015
I think Narendra Modi's greatest achievement is to get LK Advani and MM Joshi on the same platform. Even Vajpayee couldn't manage that! #BJP
— Seema Goswami (@seemagoswami) November 10, 2015
In this whole process, Pakistan Airlines is the only one making money :P #AdvaniRevolts
— Bajirao Mastani❤❤ (@PunWithSarcasm) November 10, 2015