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Mumbai – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is shifting its strategy by aligning more closely with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as it prepares for upcoming state assembly elections. The BJP has completely retracted from the controversial statement made by its national president, J. P. Nadda, during the Lok Sabha elections. Instead, the party bowed before Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, its ideological parent, and asked the Swayamsevaks (Sangh followers) to get involved so that the BJP could win power. The RSS has assumed control of the BJP’s election campaign plan; hereafter, the BJP will do as instructed by the RSS and its other Sanghatna.
J. P. Nadda’s statement in the media interview suggests that while the BJP initially relied on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for support and guidance, the party has since grown significantly in strength and capability. His remarks imply that the BJP now sees itself as self-sufficient and independent, capable of governing on its own without depending as much on the RSS for direction.
The comments by J. P. Nadda, where he indicated that the BJP no longer needed the RSS, appear to have had significant repercussions. According to the RSS functionary, this statement led the Sangh cadre to remain neutral during the May Lok Sabha elections, which in turn contributed to the BJP’s disappointing performance.
the BJP has made strategic moves to rebuild its relationship with the RSS after the disappointing results in the Lok Sabha elections. Atul Limaye, the joint general secretary of the RSS, was met three times by prominent BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis: twice in Nagpur and once in Mumbai. According to the sources, these two figures had discussed actively endorsing RSS candidates in the assembly elections so that the BJP-led Mahayuti government would win.
The discussions around endorsing RSS candidates could be a way to ensure stronger grassroots support and increase the chances of success for the BJP-led Mahayuti government.
The discussions around endorsing RSS candidates could be a way to ensure stronger grassroots support and increase the chances of success for the BJP-led Mahayuti government.
The source from RSS pointed towards the the caste-based division in Maharashtra. “The conflict between the Maratha and OBC communities, especially evident in places like Beed during the Lok Sabha elections, reflects the fragmentation of the state’s social fabric”, he said. These divisions present challenges not only for political stability but also for social cohesion, which both the BJP and RSS will need to address in their upcoming electoral strategies.
“RSS never participates in political affairs. Nonetheless, we cannot ignore the current condition of affairs in the state. We can’t just watch from the sidelines,” he continued, adding that the BJP is a political body. It will carry out the voting process in a peculiar manner. However, the BJP also needs to adhere to the plan that the RSS presents,” said the RSS functionary.
When asked Makrand Mulay, expert on RSS affairs, said, RSS was not anti-Muslim at all. He acknowledged that the organization may have failed to effectively counter the opposition’s misinformation in the past. Going forward, Muley emphasized that the RSS, along with the BJP and allied organizations, will work to inform the public with the truth, aiming to correct any misconceptions and present their perspective more clearly.
Mulay further said that while the current government has made remarkable decisions, there are still issues that impact the common man. He emphasized that the RSS, along with its allies, will focus on improving society as a whole, influencing public opinion, and making sure people are informed about which political party is truly working in the public interest.
Makrand Mulay clarified that the RSS does not interfere with the political operations of the BJP. Supporting the elections does not imply that the RSS will control the BJP. Instead, Muley emphasized that the role of the RSS has always been to support the establishment of a government focused on the larger social welfare of the nation and the state.
Mulay emphasised that while the RSS and its affiliated groups will not make exaggerated claims, they are committed to ensuring that their message reaches a wide audience.
