by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
New Leaf in Modi-RSS bon-homie
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is walking an extra mile to keep the RSS leadership in good humour. Compared to his predecessor Atal Behari Vajpayee, Modi always had a cordial relationship with his parent organisation. But he did what he felt right and in the process ignored suggestions made even by the RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat too. However, Modi saw to it that the communications lines are never snapped. But things are different in an election year and political compulsions have forced Modi to mend fences further. If he held a dinner meeting with the RSS leaders on Friday, he invited them again for a detailed organisational and political discussion next day as well. The RSS-BJP leaders had assembled from across the country for a three-day conclave at Surajkund to discuss threadbare issues needed to be resolved in each state. In the process, Modi also bumped into some of the old-timers he had worked with. He had a relaxed dinner meet with them and next day held a marathon meet with them. This was somewhat unusual as it was the sole task of BJP president to meet the RSS leadership and brief him and they together used to take decisions. All top leaders of the RSS except Mohan Bhagwat were present where critical review was done for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. It has been decided that RSS leadership will burn the mid-night oil for the return of the Modi government. It was during this conclave that Modi agreed to snap ties with PDP in Jammu & kashmir. The RSS was strongly opposed to the BJP-PDP tie-up but gave in as Modi wanted to make an experiment to send global message. Now RSS is happy saying, “Der Aaye Durrust Aaye”.
Modi mends fences with Sena too
Modi was not in favour of having any truck with Shiv Sena from day one. Reasons were many, foremost being the fact that it had proposed the name of Sushma Swaraj for Prime Minister's post. But he didn't want to break ties with Sena and ignored its barbs. While Sena continued to attack the functioning of his government, Modi never retaliated and nor allowed any senior party leader to launch a counter attack. Modi was in favour of that let Sena contest independently during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. But the RSS didn't want severing of ties with the leading ally of the BJP which swears by the Hindutva philosophy. The RSS wanted that Sena be retained in the alliance and suggested that Amit Shah meet Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and resolve the issue. Though was against any truck with Sena, he told Shah to handle the matter in the best interest of the party. What exactly transpired between Amit Shah and Uddhav Thackeray during the one-to-one meet has not been made public as yet. But insiders say that Sena's condition that Assembly polls be held simultaneously with Lok Sabha in Maharashtra has sent the BJP leadership to run for a cover. Obviously, Sena is wanting the Chief Minister's post- either through a rotational system or otherwise. BJP cannot concede supremacy to Sena again. But it is hesitant to bear the loss of Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra either. The BJP had won 23 seats while Sena had secured 18 out of 48 in Maharashtra. It transpires that RSS is talking to Sena leadership to evolve a workable formula.
Last laugh for Ajit Doval
National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval is the happiest person in the PMO with the departure of Mehbooba Mufti as Chief Minister of J&K. Doval is considered a hardliner and was against any alliance with the PDP to form the government. He wanted to develop a network of spies in the trouble-torn state and wanted complete coordination between the Police and Security forces. But Mehbooba government was a bottle-neck as most of the violent incidents took place in the areas under the influence of the PDP. Doval did not meet Mehbooba except when she called on him during her visit to Delhi on August 8, 2016. Now Doval would be able to implement his doctrine in the Valley. He was of the view that the policy of appeasement will not work. He had conveyed during a series of meetings with the PM that there is no point in taking a soft stance in the valley. It was Doval who brought in Dineshwar Sharma as Interlocutor. Sharma was made IB Chief at the behest of Doval. Sources even say that Doval wants an experienced hand like Governor N N Vohra to continue for some time so that forces can stablise before launching an offensive in a big way. A massive cleansing operation in the Valley will begin now and the PMO will directly take over the Kashmir affairs with Home Ministry playing second fiddle. The Mufti government canceling criminal cases against 11000 stone pelters will also be reviewed now.
BJP offers Deputy Chairman's post to BJD
The BJP leadership has signaled that it is willing to offer the post of Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha to any of the acceptable leader of non-BJP parties. PM Modi is of the firm view that the Deputy Chairman plays an important role in the day-to-day running of the Rajya Sabha and given its composition, an acceptable face is needed. The BJP was earlier toying with the idea of installing its own leader Bhupendra Yadav as Deputy Chairman. But the party gave up as it would created a situation of confrontation given that the BJP and its supporters won't cross the 112 seats mark in a House of 245. But the BJP was not sure which way Shiv Sena will behave as deal with it has not been clinched as yet. It was also not sure which way Biju Janata Dal (9), Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (6), YSR-Congress (2) and Chaulata's INLD (1) will go. Even TDP (6) is still undecided even after severing ties with the BJP. Therefore, Modi wanted a non-BJP person even if he belonged to Trinamool Congress be chosen. In the process, the name of Sukhendu Shekhar Roy was mentioned. But Mamata Banerjee is not receptive of the idea as it may send a wrong signal in the election year. The BJP will be too happy to offer the post to BJD as Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is maintaining equiv-distance with BJP and Congress. With the departure of P J Kurien, the Congress has also signaled to other parties that it is willing to support any of them for the post as it held it for ten years. The Congress & its allies are way behind with 92 seats and their candidate cannot win unless seven non-NDA non-UPA parties accounting for 40 seats go with them.
