Preparations underway for 3-day RSS convention

Preparations underway for 3-day RSS convention
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NAGPUR, MARCH 8: Preparations for the three-day Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the governing body of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), were underway at Reshambagh here even as delegates started pouring in from various parts of the country to attend the executive meeting tomorrow which would set out the agenda for the deliberations commencing on March 10.

About 1,000 delegates are expected to converge here for the meeting expected to focus on national issues such as the recent decision of the Gujarat Government to withdraw its earlier circular prohibiting state employees from participating in RSS activities which invoked sharp reactions in Parliament and elsewhere.

The governing body, which meets here in the platinum jubilee year of the RSS, is also expected to harp on self-introspection and prepare itself for the challenges lying before them in the new millennium, RSS sources here said. Prominent among the delegates who would participate in the deliberations throughout the event include executive Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Ashok Singhal, vice president Acharya Giriraj Kishore, veteran trade union leader of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, Dattopant Thengdi, Ram Gopalan of Hindu Front Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh Minister for science and electricity Shivkant Ojha.

Reshambagh, the venue of the conference, wore a festive look with saffron flags and festoons dotting the campus. Welcome arches were also put up near the venue. Delegates at Reshambag were involved in informal deliberations in various groups as a prelude to the National executive which begins tomorrow. The governing body of RSS would elect the Sarkaryawah (general secretary) during the session which would be presided by H V Seshadri, who holds the office of general secretary now.

RSS supremo Prof Rajendra Singh alias Rajju Bhaiyya would remain present throughout the session, organisational sources said. The formal inauguration is scheduled at 10 am on March 10 at the sprawling complex at Reshambagh where Sheshadri will present the annual report of the organisation for 1999-2000. Besides the routine business, the governing body of RSS would review the national and social scenario and finalise its strategy for further growth of the organisation.

The time table for the annual summer camp run by the RSS in various places would also be finalised.