BJP vs RSS rift all out in open?

New Delhi, NT Bureau: The Lok Sabha poll results have come as a reality check for 'overconfident' BJP workers and many of its leaders as they were happy in their 'bubble' and enjoying the the glow of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aura but not listening to the voices on the streets, an RSS linked magazine has said.

A day after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's strong message on the 'neglect of Manipur for one year' and 'lack of decorum' during campaigning, an article in the magazine says BJP workers were overconfident.

The article in the latest issue of 'Organiser' magazine also noted that though the RSS is not a 'field force' of the BJP, party leaders and workers did not reach out to its 'swayamsevaks' (volunteers) seeking their cooperation in electoral work.

Neglect of older dedicated workers who worked without the urge for recognition, by the new age social media-aided selfie powered activists was also evident in the poll results, it said.

"Results of the 2024 general elections have come as a reality check for overconfident BJP karyakartas and many leaders. They did not realise that Prime Minister Narendra Modiji's call of 400 plus (seats) was a target for them and a dare to the Opposition," Ratan Sharda, a life-long member of the RSS, noted in the article.

The BJP with 240 seats fell short of a majority but the NDA secured the mandate with 293 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress bagged 99 seats while the INDIA bloc got 234 seats.

Following the polls, two Independents who won have also pledged support to the Congress, taking the INDIA bloc tally to 236. Sharda said targets are achieved by hard work on the field and not by sharing posters and selfies on social media.

The RSS ideologue also flagged "unnecessary politicking" as one of the many reasons behind the BJP's underperformance in the Lok Sabha polls.

"Maharashtra is a prime example of unnecessary politicking and avoidable manipulations. The NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar joined the BJP-led front though BJP and the split SS (Shiv Sena) had a comfortable majority. Sharad Pawar would have faded away in two-three years and the NCP would have lost energy with infighting between cousins," he said.

"Why was this ill-advised step taken? BJP supporters were hurt because they had fought against Congress ideology for years and were persecuted. In a single stroke, the BJP reduced its brand value. After years of struggle to become numero uno in Maharashtra, it became just another political party without any difference," he added.

The BJP fared poorly in Maharashtra as it could win only nine seats compared to the 2019 tally of 23 constituencies out of the total 48.

The Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde bagged seven seats and the Ajit Pawarled NCP just one.

Without naming any leader, Sharda said the induction of Congressmen into the BJP, who had 'actively promoted' the bogey of saffron terror and persecuted Hindus and also called 26/11 'RSS ki sazish' and branded RSS as a terrorist organisation, showed the BJP 'in poor light' and also hurt RSS sympathisers 'immensely'.

On the question of whether the RSS worked for the BJP in this election or not, Sharda said, "Let me say bluntly, RSS is not a field force of BJP. In fact, BJP, the biggest party in the world, has its own karyakartas".

"Showing off is more important, posting selfies with a multiplier effect is the new norm," he said, adding, "If BJP volunteers don't reach out to the RSS, they have to answer why they thought it was not required?"

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also criticised Modi over Bhagwat’s remarks saying that while it is “not in the DNA” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to the advice of the Opposition, he should heed the words of his ideological partner, PTI reported.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said that Modi will continue to ignore the situation in Manipur despite Bhagwat’s comments.

WHAT RSS MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS

• Reality check for overconfident BJP karyakartas and many leaders.
• 'Enjoying the glow of Modi's aura but (BJP) not listening to the voices on the streets.
• 'Induction of Congressmen in the BJP, who had actively promoted the bogey of saffron terror...showed the BJP 'in poor light' and also hurt RSS sympathisers "immensely".
• Unnecessary politicking- one of the many reasons behind BJP's underperformance.
• BJP leaders did not reach out to its 'swayamsevaks' (volunteers).