RSS tells BJP: party support base stressed in Bihar and UP

At their first meeting since the RSS’s Rashtriya Pratinidhi Sabha in Nagpur, Sangh leaders told key BJP ministers that “consolidation” of Hindu society would protect and strengthen the party’s base.

Senior RSS functionaries warned the BJP on Monday that inputs from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are due in 2015 and 2016, pointed to a gradual erosion in the party’s support base.

At their first meeting since the RSS’s Rashtriya Pratinidhi Sabha in Nagpur, Sangh leaders told key BJP ministers that “consolidation” of Hindu society would protect and strengthen the party’s base.

It was decided that a monitoring cell should be set up to ensure that the Centre’s initiatives and functioning were in line with the expectations of the Parivar cadre. In order to strengthen the BJP’s base in Bihar and retain support in UP, it was decided to establish Social Harmony Committees in every district, which would work for the unity of Hindu society. With the RSS meet in Nagpur resolving to transcend caste divisions in Hindu society, these committees will work with the motto “one temple, one well, one crematorium” for all Hindus, sources told The Indian Express.

The meeting was held at the Delhi residence of union minister Nitin Gadkari. Sangh general secretary and second-in-command Suresh ‘Bhayyaji’ Joshi, and joint general secretaries Krishna Gopal, the RSS pointsman with the BJP, and Suresh Soni conveyed to the BJP leaders that the overall feedback on the functioning of the Narendra Modi-led government was positive.

“However, there is an element of demoralisation among the workers. The Sangh and the BJP will work together to ensure that the government is functioning to the workers’ satisfaction,” said a source. The monitoring cell to be established by the RSS was asked to ensure this.

From the BJP, the meeting was attended by party president Amit Shah, general secretaries Ram Lal and Ram Madhav, and union ministers Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Gadkari.

Apart from the ways to strengthen the party’s base in various states, an analysis of the debacle in the Delhi assembly polls too was on the meeting’s agenda. Current political matters, especially the situation arising out of the new land Bill over which the opposition has united, came up for detailed discussion.

“Such meetings to exchange views on important matters take place between the Sangh and BJP from time to time. It was a routine meeting where routine matters were discussed,” Ram Madhav told reporters after the meeting.

He said the meeting also discussed International Yoga Day celebrations, and the programme for celebrating B R Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary year. “Like this, discussions took place on 4-5 routine matters,” Madhav said.

To a question on the fear among minorities in the wake of attacks on their religious places, he said, “No one is in fear. All are safe in this country, including minorities. The Centre and state governments are responsible for safety of minorities and other members of society. Both will ensure the security and safety of all residents of the country.”

The meeting also decided to organise year-long celebrations for the birth centenary of RSS leader Balasaheb Deoras, of which the newly elected Sah sarkaryavah, V Bhagaiah, will be in charge. Significantly, Bhagaiah is the sole OBC face in the RSS leadership.

— With PTI inputs

Source:: Indian Express