RSS chief’s call to ‘choose the best’ a strategic move to mobilise support for BJP

At the annual Dusshera rally held at Reshimbaug grounds in Nagpur on Wednesday, Bhagwat gave a clarion call to people to cast vote judiciously. The RSS chief said, “Everyone must vote. Think calmly. Exercise your vote keeping in mind the unity, integrity, development and identity of the country. Give vote to the best who has served the nation. By now you have seen everybody.”

Although Bhagwat did not name any particular party or political leader, it was meant to convey a message which many believe would further BJP’s interest.

A senior RSS functionary based in Mumbai said, “In our organisation, RSS Sarsanghchalak is highest in hierarchy. So, once he speaks, that is the final word. We don’t analyse or comment. But the message works instantly. Our cadre is well-trained in taking orders and executing them. There is a mechanism and it works at grassroots level powerfully.”

“Everybody who carefully listens to Mohan ji Bhagwat’s words can arrive at conclusion on what exactly he wanted to convey. It is no secret. There is no confusion in anybody’s mind after his speech,” he said.

Although Bhagwat’s appeal for Lok Sabha polls has intrigued some quarters, insiders in RSS/BJP say, “RSS often chooses its own platform or method to help the right candidate or party in elections.”

“If there were any apprehensions about Modi government, Bhagwat would have skipped the topic on polls,” said a strategist in BJP. His statement was certainly not in general context. To the contrary, Bhagwat goes a step forward to mention, “How the country has made its mark globally. In terms of economy, it ranks fifth. The country is making rapid progress in all sectors,” he said.

Secondly, RSS chief, insiders argue, seems to have strongly defended Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the violence in Manipur. During his address Bhagwat said, “Are extremists across borders behind the Manipur violence? The tribal communities Meitei and Kuki have co-existed cordially in past for several decades. Why the sudden violence?”

“There is reason to believe,” he argued, “It is made to happen. It has not happened spontaneously.”

RSS chief’s statement on Manipur development is perceived as a certificate to Modi-Shah who have come under serious attack from collective opposition under the forum INDIA.

The RSS activists acknowledge how through closed-door meetings or whisper campaign they powerfully convey the political or social agenda. It does not blindly support any and every BJP candidate. It is being said that at times, if there is disapproval about some individual and yet the party goes ahead ignoring RSS concerns, Swayamsevaks operate to dislodge such leader with proper guidance and nod from the top leadership in RSS.