RSS red flags dissent against Modi

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

• Reins frontal organizations
• Plans for RSS-BJP meet deferred

Exclusive

New Delhi, May 19, 2015

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is understood to have conveyed to the BJP’s Central leadership that none of its senior functionaries including Chief Mohan Bhagwat would travel to Delhi for an interaction for some time.

The RSS leadership has conveyed that the entire machinery is extremely busy in training camps of its cadre across the country for the next two months. Except for two senior RSS functionaries, Krishan Gopal and Suresh Soni who are permanently camping in Delhi’s Jhandewalan office, no other functionary would travel for RSS-BJP meet.

The RSS has also conveyed to the BJP leadership that it had already reined in some of its hawkish elements on the “Ghar Wapsi” and other issues. It has also firmly told some of the frontal organizations including Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh and Swadeshi Jagran Manch that the issues raised by them would be adequately addressed. But there should not be any public criticism of the Modi government on such matters. Even the VHP has been told that the moratorium on the Ram Temple issue had been given to the Modi government in national interest.

Highly placed sources in the RSS told Lokmat today that Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and others who have been dissatisfied with the style of functioning of the party and the government, were politely told to “wait”. Gadkari even went to extent of going public saying that there was “conspiracy” against him when CAG reported tabled in Parliament mentioned him by name which has never been the practice before. Yet, the RSS leaders are unwilling to bell the cat at this juncture.

Obviously, the RSS leadership doesn’t want to do anything which can even be seen to be weakening the Modi government in any respect. The RSS leadership has publicly and privately has been highly appreciate of work done by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the last one year. “He is the first Hindu ruler after Chandragupt Maurya to rule the country and nothing should even remotely be done to weaken the government. If there are some grey areas the same will be resolved,” said a senior RSS leader.

No doubt, the RSS itself is somewhat disillusioned with the functioning of BJP president Amit Shah. But the parent organization also realizes that it would not be possible to change the party leadership before the Bihar elections. Secondly, issues of concerns will be discussed and resolved.

The RSS leadership is also keen that none of the top ministers including Rajnath Singh should think in terms of quitting the government as it will not send the right signals. RSS joint general secretary, Dattatreya Hosabale went public in Nagpur yesterday when he warned affiliate organisations not to obstruct the Narendra Modi-led government's push on economic reforms.

The RSS had sent points of concerns to all important ministries in confidence and wants action be taken. Of the  72-point list sent to central ministries, 30 are considered for immediate action. The RSS, it seems, has sent a conciliatory note when it said that the government was on the right track and its efforts must be complemented with responsive cooperation rather than selective confrontation.

Therefore, there is a clear indication that despite dissatisfaction by some of the ministers, the RSS is broadly in agreement with the functioning of the government so far.

Rajnath wants to quit as HM

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

All is not well in Sangh Parivar

Special Report

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, May 17 :

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is understood to have expressed his desire to quit the government and serve the party organization. Rajnath Singh who is number two in the Modi government, has reportedly conveyed to the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to permit him to be relieved from government duties and be sent back to the party. 

He reminded the RSS chief that it was on his directions in May 2014 that he had quit as BJP chief and joined the government. However, he finds himself somewhat at odds to continue further in the government.  It is not known what exactly transpired between Rajnath Singh and Mohan Bhagwat when they met on Thursday last. 

But authoritative sources close to Rajnath Singh say that he has couple of grievances. Rajnath was deeply hurt last year when allegations against his son Pankaj Singh surfaced in the media and the government opted to remain silent What pained him most was drastic cut in the Budget of his ministry dealing with police modernisation and sending L C Goyal as home secretary without even consulting him. Rajnath was only informed about it. L C Goyal is considered close to National Security Adviser Ajit Doval as both belong to Kerala cadre of all India services. Even the Intelligence Bureau though technically under the Union Home Ministry, doesn't listen to MHA. Rajnath Singh may be a member of the Cabinet Committee of Appointments (ACC), he is hardly consulted on key appointments.

Rajnath Singh is understood to have also reminded Mohan Bhagwat that he didn't want to go to the government in the fist place. But it was on the directions of the RSS that he moved over to the government. Now he be allowed to go back to the party, Rajnath Singh reportedly pleaded.

The exercise has begun within the party apparatus as complaints have grown against Amit Shah's style of functioning and defeat in Delhi Assembly polls brought his graph down too. The RSS leadership comprising Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Dattatreya Honsbole and Krishan Gopal had held detailed consultations on March 23 at the residence of Nitin Gadkari in Delhi where party matters were discussed. It was felt that someone else may be needed who can carry the party workers. Some of the frontal organizations of the RSS like the Swadesh Jagran Manch, Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh and Kisan Sangh have been publicly criticizing the Modi government on Land Bill and other crucial issues.

Surface Transport & Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari has been also extremely unhappy and doesn't mince words in criticizing the government and the party. Gadkari was in the news last year when reports of spy bug being found at his residence surfaced in the media. He had also been unhappy the way finance ministry allowed the CAG report to be tabled in Parliament relating to the Purti group.