BJP ready to sort out differences with RSS

Alarmed by the increasing criticism of the party by the Sangh Parivar, the BJP today said that senior party leaders will speak to the Rashtr...

Alarmed by the increasing criticism of the party by the Sangh Parivar, the BJP today said that senior party leaders will speak to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leadership at the earliest to resolve what it called 8216;8216;perceptional differences8217;8217;.

BJP national president Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after a two-day party conclave in Mumbai: 8216;8216;The time has come to address the issue at the earliest. We will speak to the RSS to understand each other8217;s problems without giving scope for ideological rivals to take advantage. These are perceptional differences.8217;8217;

Naidu8217;s comments are in response to the VHP and Bajrang Dal8217;s repeated criticism of the BJP and their demand that the Prime Minister take a tougher stance on issues relating to terrorism and national security. VHP leaders have also expressed doubts about the ability of the PM8217;s key advisor Brajesh Mishra.

The two organisations have supported Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray8217;s statement calling for 8216;8216;Hindu suicide squads8217;8217; even though the BJP has publicly expressed its disagreement on the matter.

The BJP today also joined the Congress Working Committee members in condemning the reported remarks made by VHP8217;s international general secretary Praveen Togadia, ridiculing Congress president Sonia Gandhi as an 8216;8216;Italian dog8217;8217; at a rally in Bhuj last week.

Naidu said: 8216;8216;The BJP does not agree with such references made by Togadia as claimed in media reports. No one should use such language. The BJP feels that the Opposition should be treated as political rivals and not enemies.8217;8217;

Emphasising that there was a need for politicians to maintain certain standards, Naidu however also questioned the silence maintained by the Congress leadership on incidents such as the burning of the Prime Minister8217;s effigies by Chhattisgarh Congress workers two weeks ago.

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8216;8216;Congress workers, in the presence of the Chhattisgarh CM, placed garlands of chappals on the PM8217;s effigies and burnt them. Why is the Congress silent on this? What culture is this,8217;8217; Naidu asked.