Disenchanted with the BJP central leadership, the RSS has adopted a new strategy in dealing with the party. Its focus in future will be on the BJP in the states rather than at the Centre. The plan is to support strong chief ministers who push the development agenda but who belong to the Sangh Parivar and are genuine adherents of Hindutva. The role model is Narendra Modi. During the Karnataka poll, Y S Yeddyurappa, who is also from the Sangh Parivar, talked of replicating the Gujarat model in his state. Modi was a popular speaker on the campaign trail in Karnataka.

It was thanks to RSS intervention that in Karnataka the challenge to Yeddyurappa’s leadership from Ananth Kumar was squashed and attempts to sabotage his campaign were firmly put down.

In this context, some wonder whether BJP president Rajnath Singh had the RSS blessing when he spoke out of turn at the recent BJP national executive and raked up old demands such as abolition of Article 370 and the need for a common civil code, even as L K Advani stressed the need for inclusive growth and appealed to the minorities. Actually Singh was acting entirely on his own bat and trying to flex his muscles.

Graceful easing out?

Charan Das Mahant, president of the Chhatisgarh PCC, was recently demoted and made “working president”. Dhanendra Sahu, Ajit Jogi’s favourite, was appointed PCC president in his place. Along with Mahant, Satyanarayan Sharma has also been bestowed the title of working president.

... contd.