RSS, BJP to discuss Delhi, state polls

The broad policies discussed at the RSS’ Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha regarding its political front, the BJP, would get a final shape during the coordination committee meeting of the top brass of the RSS-BJP later this month. Among various issues, the RSS also discussed about the BJP, including its Delhi poll debacle, its first government in Jammu and Kashmir with the PDP and the land acquisition bill, at its three-day-long Nagpur meeting.

While the pratinidhi sabha meeting concluded on Sunday in Nagpur, the RSS top brass, it was learnt, also discussed with BJP president Amit Shah the feedback that they received from the Sangh Parivar cadre regarding the saffron party’s humiliating defeat in the Delhi Assembly election. The issue will also be discussed during the coordination committee meeting, which is likely to take place on March 23. Also, the BJP’s Delhi unit could be reconstituted to bring in younger and new faces. The BJP’s reconstituted national executive is also scheduled to meet on April 3 in Bengaluru where issues taken up during the coordination meeting could also be discussed.

With the crucial Assembly elections lined up in Bihar, followed by West Bengal next year and the electorally crucial Uttar Pradesh in 2017, where the Sangh Parivar cadre has been actively working, the RSS and the BJP will also be discussing poll-related strategies.

The recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir, including the formation of a PDP-BJP government, controversial remarks by chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, the release of separatist leader Massarat Aalam and the perception that the BJP has diluted its stand on Article 370, also came up for discussion during the Nagpur meet. Sources said this issue will now be discussed at the coordination committee meeting and the RSS-BJP top brass is likely to come up with a blueprint to counter the perception.

For better coordination between the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and the RSS’ various affiliates, like the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangathan (BMS) and the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, the RSS has asked to hold dialogues over issues to avoid repeating situations like the land acquisition bill which was also opposed by the BMS.

Sources disclosed that a proposal was suggested by BJP joint general secretary (organisation) Saudan Singh at the RSS meet that the general secretary (organisation) and the joint general secretary (organisation), both at the central BJP and in states, should be given states’ charge on a rotational basis. For instance, Mr Singh himself is looking at party affairs in Chhattisgarh for more than 12 years. The RSS top brass is likely to consider this suggestion.